By LaTria Garnigan
To say that I was excited about the 2019 Taste of Henry would be an understatement. After living in the area for a few years, I was all too eager to finally attend the culinary event. The location was perfect, with the covering of the Jason T. Harper Event Center providing a great shaded area to enjoy the many restaurants and food trucks on display.
Upon entering the space, it was a tiny bit daunting to figure out which way to begin the hunt for delicious vittles. Is it best to go clockwise? Counter-clockwise? Or zig zag through the space? Honestly, either choice is the best choice. I decided to head straight to the back for some smoky and tangy ribs to start off my experience.
Navigating through the crowd was not a big feat, and it was cool to see attendees of all ages from babies to elders out enjoying the day and the food. Lines weren’t too long, and they moved pretty quickly even if they began to pile up.
Next up, I had to go out of culinary order and grab a decadent sampling from Crumbles by Nicole, based out of Locust Grove. Their cupcakes and desserts are always a big hit, with just the right amount of sweetness.
At this point, I decided to take a break and just walk around a bit. It was really a way to scout out more of the space to see just what all the different offerings were. With more than 20 restaurants featured, there was plenty to sample. Everything from Indian, Mexican and southern food was represented at the Taste of Henry.
I could have ended the day with the masala dish from Bombay Bites, but of course I had to continue on. The savory offering served with rice and a piece of naan bread was more than a generous helping for a tasting and a welcome addition to my palate.
Having visited New Orleans a few years ago and trying beignets for the first time, I was happy to see the Just Loaf’n truck there and eager to sample their offerings. I never made it out to Tasty Tuesdays in Stockbridge, so this was a treat to see them at the event. Their sample of the famous French pastry had just the right amount of sweetness from the powdered sugar that I expected. And they added a tangy rice side as well.
After all of this, I was stuffed and had a great time meeting fellow residents and chatting about what we all tried throughout the space. It was nice to sit at a table and get to know neighbors for the day. But there was one more stop I had to make before I left. The Holiday Inn in Stockbridge, which also features Burger Theory, had a magnificent display of its famous pineapple tree featuring kabobs and an assortment of mini desserts. Who can say no to such a showcase?
After what I would call a well-rounded day of sampling, my adventure at the 2019 Taste of Henry was over. For my first foray with the event, I would call it a success. If you’re planning on attending the 2020 offering, make sure to save some room in your stomach for a good variety of tasty meals, drinks and desserts. Whether you are a junior foodie attending with your parents, or a seasoned pro with a refined palate, you will enjoy yourself.
More information on the next event can be found at www.tasteofhenry.org.
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A journalist first, LaTria Garnigan has always had a love of writing and exploring. And combining her love of food and travel is a winning combination. When she’s not looking up recipes or trying out the newest home delivery meal kits, she can be found catching up on her Netflix queue and discussing all things entertainment with her friends. You can keep up with some of her shenanigans on Twitter and Instagram — @SimplyTria.