ANDOVER — The Taste of the Merrimack Valley will return for a third year for an evening filled with spotlighting some of the best sweet treats and savory dishes around.
The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce, in association with Merrimack Valley Eats, will host the event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, 123 Old River Road.
This year’s tasting event will spotlight 24 restaurants and food vendors throughout the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire whose staff will be on site to serve up samples of their cuisine.
“It keeps getting bigger and better each year,” Chamber President and CEO Michael Bevilacqua said.
Returning favorites include Ice Cream Emergency where people can step inside an “emergency” truck and create an ice cream sundae to their liking. Others back for another year include Burtons Grill, Raagini Indian Bistro and Vivacino to name a few.
“We have a lot of the favorites coming back, but we also have some other great restaurants participating this year,” Bevilacqua said.
Flip the Bird, a new North Andover restaurant, joined this year’s lineup as well as Lawrence’s Bay State Popcorn and George’s Bakery, a popular Methuen spot.
The popcorn vendor will have flavored popcorn for people to try on the spot or take home with them. Whittier Technical High School and Northern Essex Community College’s culinary programs will also showcase some of their menu items.
Taste of the Merrimack Valley is about having fun, interacting with the community and trying new food items that may lead to someone discovering their new favorite business in the area, Bevilacqua said.
Seeing the success of the restaurants is his favorite part of the event, outside of sampling all the different food.
The chamber often hears from the food vendors who tell them that they booked parties and events because someone discovered them at the annual event.
“The great thing we hear each and every year is the amount of business these restaurants see because of Taste of the Merrimack Valley,” Bevilacqua said. “Restaurants are all hurting with rising costs.
“This gives them an opportunity to get their name out in front of people that may have never heard of who they are or what they do. And you just see smiles on people’s faces all night.”
Tickets are $45 and $35 for those age 65 and older. To purchase tickets and for a complete list of participating restaurants and caterers, visit tasteofthemerrimackvalley.com.