On a late summer’s eve, an eager crowd gathered to enjoy some of the best food in Blount County as 31 area restaurants, food trucks and caterers participated in the 23nd annual Taste of Blount hosted by the Blount Partnership at the Theater in the Park in Maryville, Tenn.
The crowd was treated with the appearance of local celebrity chef Momma Mel who conducted a cooking demonstration and visited with the guests.
“Community events like this, along with the support of local sponsors, are essential to showing the vibrancy of this area,” said Blount Partnership President Bryan Daniels. “The friendly competition among the vendors is great and Taste of Blount shows off the wide variety of places we have to eat here.”
Attendees voted for winners in seven categories while culinary experts handed out the Culinary Excellence Awards.
Taking home top honors in the People’s Choice division for Best Overall and Best Sandwich went to Clean Eatz Café. Single Barrel Events took home Best Beverage for the third consecutive year. Winning Best Dessert for the third straight year was Between the Slices. Best Main Course went to The Abbey for the second straight year. REO Cheesewagon won Best Presentation for the second time in the event’s history. The Shed Smokehouse won for Best Appetizer.
The Culinary Excellence Awards were judged by five culinary experts – Chef Cory Giaquinta, Kaysey Sanford, Sherri McCall, Ed Mitchell, and Mandee & Eric McNew – who put their professional taste buds to the test and anointed winners in five categories. Vendors were asked to submit one food item for the judges to determine which topped their chart.
The Walnut Kitchen won Best Appetizer, Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital won Best Sandwich, Vienna Coffee Co. won Best Beverage, Yassin’s Falafel House won best Main Couse, and The Chocolate B’ar won best Dessert.
The event was sponsored by UT Federal Credit Union, Y-12 Credit Union, Bowen Door Service, ICC International, Fletcher Marketing Communications, Joseph Construction, Prisma Health, US Foods, Accident Fund, Wells Tavern, Vulcan Materials Co., Home Federal Bank, Hilton, and Simmons Bank.
2025 Taste of Blount People’s Choice Winners
Best Appetizer: The Shed Smokehouse
Best Sandwich: Clean Eatz Cafe
Best Beverage: Single Barrel Events
Best Main Course: The Abbey
Best Dessert: Between the Slices
Best Presentation: REO Cheesewagon
Best Overall: Clean Eatz Cafe
2025 Taste of Blount Culinary Excellence Award Winners
Best Appetizer: Walnut Kitchen
Best Sandwich: Prisma Health Blount Memorial Hospital
Best Beverage: Vienna Coffee Co.
Best Main Course: Yassin’s Falafel House
Best Dessert: The Chocolate B’ar