Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce hosted its first-ever Taste of Valley Stream event, a community fundraiser designed to showcase local restaurants and businesses while bringing residents together.
Held at the VFW Hall, the event drew about 150 attendees and featured a variety of food offerings from local restaurants.
The event also honored local fire officials, including Fire Chief Anthony Capone and Assistant Chiefs Michael Colucci and Kyle O’Brien.
“The idea came to do this taste of Valley Stream, because everybody’s always saying there’s no place to eat in Valley Stream, but there are plenty of places, it’s just that people tend to always go to the same places, and they don’t try new things,” chamber member Lauri LoQuercio said. “So we thought this would be a great way for people to try restaurants they wouldn’t ordinarily go to, and hopefully drive traffic back to the businesses after the event. It really was a way to bring the whole community together.”
Local businesses also contributed raffle basket items and event sponsorships, further emphasizing the community-wide support behind the event. Support came from sponsors at every level, including a Diamond Sponsor, multiple Gold Sponsors and Silver Sponsors representing local service providers, businesses, media, real estate and community organizations.
Participating food sponsors included 32 North Restaurant, Afghan Chai Khana, Ben’s Crab, TGI Friday’s, Genovese Pizzeria, Inatome Japanese Restaurant Steak House, Buffalo Wild Wings, Northwell Health – Valley Stream, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Pelican’s SnoBalls, Key Food Fresh Valley Stream, The Best Goodie Bag, Tepache Taste of Mexico, The Bristal and Spartans Grill.
A large number of raffle basket sponsors also supported the event, including Bath & Body Works, Bellemore Playhouse, Bolsa Nova Handbags, Chase Bank, Clarity Aesthetics, DeGrace Family, DePalma Florist, Doortronix, Edible Arrangements, First Class Car Wash, Foodtown Hewlett, Fun Time Pottery, Green Acres Macerich, H&M, Hair by Eva in Amani Salon, Home Depot, Island Events, Itgen’s, Karen Schwartz, and Key Food Fresh Market.
King Kullen, Kiwanis of Valley Stream, Long Island Children’s Museum, Matthew James Jewelers, MECHS Luxe Candles, Mia’s Restaurant, Nassau County Firefighters Museum, New York Islanders, Old Navy, Orange Skye Body & Beauty Bar, Pet Supplies Plus, Pottery Workshop, Primark, Spartans Grill, TGI Friday’s, Target, The Dragons Indoor Football League, Trader Joe’s, Valley Caterers, Valley Van, Vanderbilt Museum & Planetarium and Sapienza Bakery.
“We had some restaurants that were unable to attend, so the culinary students from Central High School filled in to serve the food,” LoQuercio said. “They worked with the Department of Health, they kept to the Department of Health standards, keeping the food at temperature, checking the temperature, serving. So it really was great that they were able to get practical experience in that way.”
Volunteers from Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School and Central High School also assisted with vendor support, setup and cleanup.
The Chamber thanked the VFW Hall for providing the venue and supporting the event. Organizers say the positive turnout and collaboration among businesses, schools and residents have set the stage for making Taste of Valley Stream an annual tradition.
