Hungry foodies gather for Taste of RVC

Food, fun and community spirit was again front and center at the 13th annual Taste of Rockville Centre at the St. Agnes Parish Center on Jan. 27.

The event, which is sponsored each year by the Rockville Centre’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee, drew a large crowd of hungry patrons who got to sample a wide variety of food from dozens of the top restaurants and caterers in the village and surrounding areas. There was also sample wine tasting from over 20 vineyards.

It was first 2017 fundraiser for the committee, which raises money every year for three charities that march in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade — one national, one local and one that represents Irish heritage. This year’s charities include the BackYard Players and Friends, an inclusive arts-based community program that enhances the social and interpersonal skills of teens and young adults of all abilities, Breathe Believe, a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to individuals with cystic fibrosis and the Pieta House, which helps people in suicidal distress or who engage in self-harm.

The 21st annual parade is scheduled for March 25.

Some of the restaurants who participated in the event were Kasey’s Kitchen and Cocktails, Cabo, Cannon’s Blackthorn, CJ’s Coffee Shop, the Front Street Bakery, EGP Oceanside, the Pretzel Stop, the Flour Shoppe Café, The Pig & Queen, Churchill’s, Fhoo, Homebrews and Handgrenades, Press 195, Polkadot Pound Cake, RJ Daniels, the River Mill Tavern, The Dark Horse Tavern, Connolly Station, Swingbellys, Mesita, Parlay Gastropub and Monaghan’s.

Entertainment was provided by Jerry and the Newcomers.