The members of Emergency Company 5 of the Hicksville Fire Department and the Chamber of Commerce would like to thank those who participated in the second annual Culinary Delights Food Festival at Imperial Manor in Bethpage. This year's event went off with much success and involved over 24 restaurants and eateries. Event organizers estimated the attendance to be over 250 people, which nearly doubled last year's attendance.

This joint effort promoted many of the area's finest restaurants and eateries in our community. This event showcased the different food cultures and ethnic diversity that is right within our community. The sampling included such items as shrimp cocktail, beef on toast, chicken wings, sauerbraten, Indian chicken, King crab legs and much more.

BOCES Culinary School (NYTECH), under the direction of Chef Paul Magro, had the students cook a chicken with risotto and chocolate chip cookies.

Once again there was a wine-tasting area provided by Vogue Liquors, with the addition of Providence Wine Importers and free soda, along with a huge array of desserts and coffee, provided by Vitranos 7-11, Francesco's Bakery and American Classic Ice Cream. For 2 1/2 hours the attendees were treated to specialty items from a variety of menus and interacted with restaurateurs and their friendly staffs. The evening showcased various cuisines, including chicken, ribs, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, clam chowder, sauerbraten, duck wraps, shrimp cocktail, a pork carving station and various delightful Indian specialties along with other items too long a list to publish.

The event included various raffle prizes, including two sets of New York Islander tickets donated by Henry Brengel (one set) and Ben's Foundation (one set). There was a 50/50 drawing and the grand prize winners will enjoy an "Evening Out on the Town" with a complete limousine (Strathmore Limos of Glen Cove), dinner for two at the Bistro-On-Broadway Restaurant and then will attend a doo-wop show on Dec. 18, donated by the Westbury Music Fair. The second prize that was drawn was a Basket-of-Cheer.

The committee has received a commitment from Jim Covias at the Imperial Manor to make next year's event even larger and more professional in the year 2000. The committee will begin planning even earlier and look to include more restaurants, add additional seating and look to improve on an already successful evening.

We would like to thank the following restaurants for their participation and hope they will return again in 2000:

American Classic Ice Cream, Ben's Delicatessen, BOCES Culinary School (NYTECH), Charles Avenue Cafe, Crossroads, Delaney's, Don Juan Mexican Restaurant, Francesco's Bakery, Green Field Restaurant, The Imperial Wok, Long Island Potato Chips, La Gondola, Maine Maid Inn, Peppercorns, Popeye's Seafood, Rang Mahal, Red Lobster, Sansar Indian Restaurant, Sitar Indian Restaurant, Vitrano's Seven-Eleven, and The Spare Rib.

It would be remiss if we did not acknowledge Jim Covais at the Imperial Manor and his staff Jerry and Benny. They made the whole night come together and provide their expertise and make the evening that much more professional with atmosphere, china and silverware. We also would like to thank all those businesses that donated prizes for raffles and last but certainly not least, the committee made up of Karl Schweitzer, Ella Marie Columbo, Judy Lombardi, Sam Maruca, Jeff Scelzi and all those members from both the Chamber and Co. #5, who contributed to our success.

Karl M. Schweitzer

Ella Marie Columbo

Co-Chairs