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Taste of Shelby County gives Shelby County Schools supporters the opportunity to sample selections from many local food and drink vendors. (REPORTER PHOTOS/KEITH MCCOY)

HOOVER – The 12th annual Taste of Shelby County event was held Sept. 12 at Inverness Country Club benefitting the Shelby County Schools Education Foundation.

“Our mission is to enhance, support, and recognize excellence in education for the Shelby County Schools district,” said Shelby County Schools Education Foundation Director Kendall Williams. “Over the past few years, this event has helped fund over $100,000 in student, teacher, and school-wide grants. The grants range from technology advancement and STEAM initiatives to Career Tech program support and competitions. Also, from implementing a student-led instrumental chamber music program to two outdoor classrooms. We are proud to help imagine, inspire and impact the journeys of these students and teachers.”

New to this year’s event was a larger silent auction with a new and faster check-out system, and more vendors for guests to sample.

“This is a fun evening where all the stakeholders of the Education Foundation are in one place supporting our students and teachers in a unique way,” Williams said. “There are students, teachers, administrators, elected officials, business leaders and more. Guests are able to socialize while sampling a myriad of features from local restaurants, caterers, wineries and breweries.”

Vendors included Bertolone’s, K&J’s Elegant Pastries, Chick-fil-A Greystone, Interstellar Ginger Beer, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, Joe’s Italian, Ozan Winery, Panoptic Catering, Bistro proVare, M&T Catering, Pampered Chef, Bama Budweiser of Shelby County, Corbin Farms Winery, Simply Infused Olive Oils, Cajun Boys and Our Poboys.

The event lasted from 6-8 p.m., but those with an Early Access Ticket were allowed in at 5:30 p.m. to sample vendors’ selections before the crowd.

In addition to the early access, the EAT Pass holders also got a swag bag full of coupons and offers from sponsors, as well as the vendor participants, and a souvenir Taste of Shelby County wine or pint glass.

The silent auction building opened at 5:30 p.m. and closed promptly at 7:45 p.m.

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