Big Winners

     This year Bite of Oregon celebrated its 33rd anniversary.  The theme for the event was "Plates for the People," an initiative to offer more than 40 specially crafted plates from all the participating restaurants for $5 or less.  That included a special Oregon Bounty Chef's Table section where local area chefs, as well as representatives from Pro Chefs Oregon and the American Culinary Federation provided gourmet samples for the same price.

     Braised beef with polenta, rockfish street tacos, Yukon potato salad and candied bacon burger sliders were all available for sale, along with blueberry cobbler, and cherry beignets. The cuisine was eclectic with German Brats, Mexican tacos, Cajun alligator on a stick and French crepes, too.  And there were food trucks on the scene to tempt the palate with dumplings, pasta, sliders and tacos.

     Then to wash it all down there were 16 different beer options from local brewers, as well as 5 different kinds of hard cider, 17 wineries offering samples and 8 distilleries providing communion cup samples of their craft.

     But the big winners of the event were all those who support and compete in the Portland area's Special Olympics.  Special Olympics Oregon provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children, youth and adults with intellectual disabilities.  The proceeds from Bite of Oregon allows continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.