WINONA LAKE — The 3rd Annual Taste of Kosciusko event was held Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Winona Heritage Room in Winona Lake. Admission was free. Attendees were able to purchase tickets to sample food items, as well as submit votes for best drink, best entree and best dessert in the county. 

“It’s nice to see all these competitors working cooperatively to make a cool event for our community,” said  Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President Rob Parker. “This is a fun event where people can have food and drinks and just connect with other people.”

“We’ve had about 800 people come through so far,” Parker estimated. “My guess is that we’ll probably end up having around 1,200 people come through by the time the event is over.”

Alan Gottschalk, general manager at Palette, said, “We wanted to get involved with the community. It’s a nice chance to meet people – not only the public but some of the other vendors and restaurants in town.”

HopLore Brewing Co., Leesburg, offered samples of their brews for those 21 and over.

This year’s vendors included Cerulean, Orthocity Brewery & Smokhouse, One Ten Craft Meatery, Light Rail Cafe & Roaster, Applebee’s, Oak & Alley, Mad Anthony’s, The Igloo, Black Tie Catering, HopLore Brewing, Palette – an American Eatery, McAllister’s Deli and Rua.