The doors opened at 6:30, and by 7:15 p.m. approximately 400 people were enjoying free samples from local restaurants while a crowd was still waiting to get in.
The fourth annual Taste of Mt. Laurel was on Tuesday, Jan. 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hartford School.
Residents enjoyed live music, free samples and coupons from 23 restaurants and a basket raffle with items donated by local restaurants.
Last year, the free event was held at the Community Center located at 100 Mt. Laurel Road. With approximately 400 people that attended last year’s event, municipal clerk Meredith Tomczyk said this year’s event needed to be held in a bigger location.
She anticipated more than 400 people attending this year. But when pre-registration for the event opened, Tomczyk said approximately 750 people registered to attend.
It was the first year pre-registration was open to the public, she said.
“It helps the vendors get an idea of how much food to bring,” Tomczyk said.
Restaurants such as The Water Store, Tres Yan & Wu, Marcello’s and more, were handing out free samples and menus.
While Carlucci’s Waterfront owner Aniello Capuano dished out a few popular dishes, banquet coordinator and assistant manager Melanie Green said this event was easy to prepare for.
“It’s an easy job for us,” Green said, adding Carlucci’s is used to being a part of large events like the Taste of Mt. Laurel.
Capuano was serving eggplant rollatini, penne with vodka sauce and crab cakes.
Green said they have seen customers who regularly dine at Carlucci’s as well as some new faces.
“It’s nice for [the community]. It lets a lot of new people try restaurants,” Green said, adding it also allow people to try food from places they might have not heard about.
Although Carlucci’s did not have a problem with preparing for the event, Marlton-based Marcello’s started preparing three days before the event.
“We made 43 gallons of soup,” restaurant owner Marcello DiPietro said.
DiPietro attended the event since the first year it started, calling it a “smorgasbord” where residents are able to try food from many different restaurants in one sitting.
Tomczyk said this event is a great way to get the community aware of the restaurants.
