Taste of the Valley gets underway Thursday and will continue through Sunday.
Pintu Chawla For those who missed Pintu Chawla at last year’sWest Side’s Taste of the Valley, the master of Indian cuisine is back.
“Yes, I’m back by popular demand,” said Chawla after hearing from many about his absence last year. “And, I’ll be there in person to serve all my friends.”
Taste of the Valley gets underway Thursday and will continue through Sunday with yummy delights, a concert by 1970s folk/rock singer Jonathan Edwards on Sunday, as well as the return of the Taste of the Valley 5K Road Race. The event is sponsored by Chicopee Savings Bank and presented by the Rotary Club of West Springfield with the Town of West Springfield.
This year’s delicious fare will be served up by 12 restaurants and vendors including, Angelo’s, B’Shara’s Catering, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Carol’s Concessions, Crepe’s Tea House, Edible Arrangements, Mamma Mia’s Pizzeria, Millie’s Pierogi, Thai Taste, Ultimate BBQ, the returning Pintu’s Indian Palace, and the new Chanterelle To Go.
“I’ll be serving up our ever-popular chicken tikka masala with rice,” said Pintu, whose other tasty Indian delights will include vegetable curry with rice and vegetable pakora.
As for the new Chanterelle To Go, they’ll be serving up arugula salad and savory and sweet mini handpies.
“We’ll be serving up our farm to table cuisine from a custom, handmade trailer built in Belgium around 1955. It’s very cute and looks like a bubble,” said owner Lauren Kendzierski, who is in business along with Max Reichert.
“We use all local produce and make everything from scratch, including our own bread and potato chips,” she added about seeking out the best from local farms in Hadley, Amherst and other local areas.
Why local?
“It’s the right thing to do. I don’t think there should be any other option. I know that what we do sets us apart from others, but it’s not for that reason, it’s because we know we are using a better product, we know the people who are growing everything, how they grow it, and the care they put into it,” said Kendzierski.
Among the many other tasty treats will be baked potatoes with your choice of topping, sausage and London broil grinders, ice cream, fried dough, sweet and savory crepes, chicken tenders, ziti with chicken and broccoli, pizza, pieorgi, golumpki, kielbasa dog, garlic chicken, pad thai, and for barbeque lovers, pulled chicken and pork sandwiches.
A variety of beverages will also be available for sale including beer, wine, and soft drinks. Food purchases at the Taste are by cash only, while beverage sales are by tickets, which can be purchased at event ticket booths.
The sound of music will also fill the air all four days of the event beginning today with Noah Lis and Relentless, and continuing tomorrow with Merrick Section, The Vallen Brothers Band, and Trailer Trash. Weekend entertainment begins Saturday with Brass Attack, Ethel Lee, Scrap Iron Sun, The Kings, and Aquanett, followed on Sunday by Lisa Martin, headliner Jonathan Edwards, and John Brandoli.
In addition to the soul-stirring music, there will be amusement ides and games for children and teens, as well as a petting zoo with exotic animals to befriend. Other action includes BMX bike demonstrations by Eastern Action Sports Teams on Friday from 4-7. Also, the Ramapogue Historical Society will offer tours of the Old Day House on Saturday and Sunday from noon and 3 p.m.
Car lovers should set their Taste calendar for Saturday, when from 1-5 p.m. visitors will be treated to the Saturday Cruise, sponsored by Affordable Auto Glass. A showcase of antique, classic and special interest cars, anyone is eligible to enter their mechanical pride and joy in the competition. Winners will be awarded trophies and gift certificates to local restaurants. Participants can enter the common through the Park Street entrance across from the Senior Center. No registration fee is required. Vehicles must be at least 20 years old. Rain date will be Sunday.
On Sunday, Taste-goers can work up an appetite early by participating in the fourth annual Taste 5K Road Race which steps off at 10 a.m. in front of the Senior Center. This year, to help those affected by the recently Boston tragedy, all proceeds from the Taste 5K will be donated to The One Fund Boston. All participants will receive a food coupon that can be redeemed at the Taste. Registration fee is $20 if you pre-registe, $25 the day of the race. Registration forms and course maps are available on the Taste website www.westsidetaste.com.
Parking is available on the street, in public lots, and in many neighboring business lots on the weekend. On Sunday, with the major concert by Jonathan Edwards scheduled, additional nearby lots will be available for parking for Taste patrons including, McLaughlin Paper, 61 Progress Ave.; Law Offices of Simon Brighenti, Jr., 71 Park Ave.; Sullivan Paper Company, 42 Progress Ave.; West Springfield Federal Credit Union, 58 Union St.; and Westfield Bank, 206 Park St.