A local 'Taste'

Locally owned restaurants shined at this year’s Taste of Bloomington. More than 7,300 people came to Showers Common for the event, a record turnout, the event’s co-director Talisha Coppock, said. The event showcased Bloomington restaurants, wineries, breweries and live music.\nWhile this year’s event marks its 26th anniversary, Coppock said Taste of Bloomington has never been larger. A record 43 restaurants participated, all but six of which were independent. Coppock also said the event drew in more sponsors and noteworthy bands this year. Taste of Bloomington highlights the spirit of the community, Coppock said.\n“Everyone here is different – you have kids, older people, college students. And listening to music and eating food becomes a great way to bond.”\nBloomington musician Jenn Cristy jump-started the five-act musical lineup, which included Polka Boy and Here Come the Mummies. Cristy, who also performed last year, is a big supporter of the Bloomington food scene.\n“I try to represent Bloomington as best I can,” she said. \nFood and music weren’t the event’s only highlights. Bloomington resident Alex Hoover said he was impressed with the event’s commitment to the local community. \n“Bloomington is particularly special because there’s a lot of diversity, and this event shows it,” he said.\nIn keeping with its goal to provide diversity, the event showcased many ethnic restaurants. \nNasir Jallal, owner of MAC Mediterranean, said this year is the second time his restaurant participated in Taste of Bloomington. He cooked each dish, including chicken qurma and basmati rice, at home with his family before bringing it to the event. \nBloomington Independent Restaurant Association used Taste of Bloomington as an opportunity to spread the word about their mission to endorse locally owned and operated restaurants, said Nick Mather, a junior account executive for the association. \n“We share a mission with Taste of Bloomington to promote local values,” he said. “A lot of these restaurants don’t know each other, so bringing them together encourages them to support each other.” \nHe said BIRA is fighting to make independent restaurants more competitive and more viable, and said Taste of Bloomington is the perfect venue to market their organization.\nIn addition to its own booth, the group scattered advertising across the Commons to mark its member restaurants.\nFARM bloomington emphasized this cooperative mission. Tracey Walker, FARM bloomington’s events manager, said Taste of Bloomington gave FARM a chance to support other restaurants.\n“We think it’s so important that local support local,” he said. “Independent restaurants make up the fabric of a community.”\nHe also said Taste of Bloomington brings people together in a special way. The event draws people into downtown and into Bloomington’s restaurant scene. \n“When you go into an independent restaurant, you’re rolling a dice,” he said. “You just don’t know what you’re going to get. An event like this gives people the chance to taste all of what we have to offer.”\n-IDS reporter Brian Hettmansperger contributed to this story.