More than 2500 people came to Historic Broad Street on Saturday, September 26th to experience “Sweet Things, Chicken Wings and a Whole Lot More,” this year’s theme of the Taste of Fuquay-Varina hosted by the Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association. “We’re thrilled to have so many wonderful bakers and restaurants in Fuquay-Varina willing to share their talents with the Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association and the community,” said Kathy Barnes, Vice Chairman or the association. “We are also very thankful to Stephen’s Hardware for allowing us to take over their store for judging and serving cakes.”

The winner of the Best Chicken Wings in Fuquay-Varina Contest was Monte’s Sports Grille located at 525 E. Broad Street. Approximately 350 people voted in the contest after tasting a sample at each participating restaurant’s tent located across from Stephen’s on Broad Street. “We are very proud of Monte’s and extremely honored that each of the restaurants would enter the contest especially since it is a first year venture,” said Barnes. In addition to Monte’s, the following restaurants participated in the wings contest: Assaggio's, Cooley's Restaurants and Pub, Golden Corral, and Ruby Tuesday's.

There were 45 cake entries in six cake categories and each cake was judged by a set of five judges from the community. After the judging, hundreds of folks tasted the cakes and everyone was delighted with the day. Congratulations to these winners! You’ll find the kind of cake they made in parenthesis.

View a video of the 2009 Taste of Fuquay-Varina event on YouTube.

View photos from the 2009 Taste of Fuquay-Varina event on Facebook.

BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE
1ST PLACE: Linda Nobbs (Knock Your Socks Off Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake)
2ND PLACE: Virginia Wallace (White Chocolate Raspberry Cake)
3RD PLACE: Virginia Wallace (ChocoRaz Cake)

BEST POUND CAKE
1ST PLACE: Margaret Howard (Praline)
2ND PLACE: Traci Lease (Triple Chocolate)
3RD PLACE: Terressa Yeakle Best (Lemonlicious)

FAMILY FAVORITE RECIPE CAKE
1ST PLACE: Paula Pittman (Aunt Allyis Ho Ho Cake)
2ND PLACE: Virginia Wallace (Summerlicious Strawberry Lemonade)
3RD PLACE: Arlene Strickland (Berry Topped NY Cheesecake)

BEST DECORATED CAKE – PROFESSIONAL DIVISION
1ST PLACE: Donna Cawthon (Fuquay-Varina’s Oldest Building)
2ND PLACE: Stephen James (Celebration of Fuquay-Varina)

BEST DECORATED CAKE – AMATEUR DIVISION
1ST PLACE: Victoria Tormenti (Celebrate Fuquay-Varina at Mineral Springs)
2ND PLACE: Ronda Minor (The Garden at Fuquay Mineral Springs Inn)
3RD PLACE: Michelle Malach (Fall for Fuquay-Varina)
HONORABLE MENTION: Diane Zeuner (Petite Three Scroll Cake)

BEST DECORATE CUPCAKES – AGE 16 AND UNDER 16
1ST PLACE: Laura Shinn(Pandas)
2ND PLACE: Jillian Fortmuller (NC Flag)
3RD PLACE: Deja Essence Best (Halloween Theme)
HONORABLE MENTION: Samantha Whipple (Mineral Spring)

The Taste of Fuquay-Varina was made possible by many generous Fuquay-Varina sponsors. Stephens Hardware was the only Platinum Sponsor. The Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association organized the event. Gold Sponsors included Akins Properties LLC, Andy's Tents & Events, Carillion Assisted Living, Four Oaks Bank, Fuquay-Varina Arts Council, South Lakes in Fuquay-Varina, and Thomas Funeral Home.