Crenshaw County restaurants and caterers gave more than 100 diners a taste of what they do best at this year’s Taste of Crenshaw.

 

For the first time ever, the event was open to the public. The previous two years limited the experience to members of the Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce, hosts of the event.

 

Janice Knox and Lee Scott took advantage of the opportunity.

 

“She’s preparing for her daughter’s wedding and we came out because we’re looking for caterers and ideas,” Scott said.

 

They found plenty of both. Micki’s Munchies of Highland Home wowed crowds with pastries cupcakes and confections while Sydney’s Catering dished up warm servings of peach cobbler.

 

Some businesses used the opportunity to introduce diners to less familiar items on their menus. The owners of Mainstreet Sweets dished up helpings of apple strudel ice cream, Nathan’s hot dogs and barbecue sandwiches.

 

Hardees skipped the biscuits and burgers people were familiar with and served salads and chicken fingers.

 

Highland Home restaurant Coco Momma’s Family Dining dished up potato salad, barbecue, baked beans and banana pudding.

 

Dozier’s Amazing Grace Cafe treated Taste of Crenshaw as one more catered event, serving a full menu of collard and turnip greens; cornbread; dressing; macaroni and cheese; and fried chicken.

 

Owner Patricia Grace and her crew packed up the food before the end of the event, but only to make room on the table for fried apple pies.

 

“I was glad to do it,” Grace said. “This is my county, too.”

 

She found a new fan at the event.

 

“Amazing Grace was my favorite because of their dressing. I loved their dressing,” said 10-year-old Sydney McIntosh.

 

As a full room dined on Pizza Hut pizza and Dining Table peach cobbler, Scott Fowler got them dancing in their seats to “I’ll Fly Away.”

 

“Scott Fowler was a real addition,” said Carol Staller of the Chamber. “We thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated it.”

 

Chamber chairman Steve Sanders introduced participants as they passed out door prizes. The grand prize, a 32-inch television, went home with Betty Pippin.

 

Chamber board member Martha Dickey was full of hugs and smiles for the caterers and restaurateurs who participated.

 

“I was real proud that Amazing Grace and Coco Momma’s showed up. You don’t get any better than this,” she said. “I was disappointed that a few restaurants pulled out at the last minute.”

 

Two businesses cancelled within hours of the event and two others did not show.

 

Despite the missing additions, guests left with smiles on their faces and, for Knox and Scott, a few wedding options.

 

“I think this was a wonderful idea,” said Scott. “Good food, good company and good fellowship.”