WINK Taste of the Town in Punta Gorda on Saturday

Reporter: Michelle Alvarez Writer: Paul Dolan
Published: Updated:

Charlotte County’s restaurants are coming together to share their finest food at WINK News’s largest and best food festival, WINK Taste of the Town.

The event is taking place Saturday, Jan. 21, in Punta Gorda, and for the first time at Laishley Park.

The event features the best of Charlotte County, showcasing the community’s local food and businesses. Vendors included the Dawg Pound, J and K’s Mobile Cafe, and Wonderland Cookie Dough and Ice Cream.

Families were able to enjoy a children’s area and live music throughout the morning.

WINK News spoke with one vendor who came all the way from Ohio and another from Pennsylvania.

“We’re known for our bourbon, chicken, rice and beans, we have sweet cornbread, we sell our sauce. My boss, he’s the one that is from Louisiana, and these are all of his recipes, I’m just lucky enough to work for him,” Melyssa Stromberg from Louisiana Grill said.

“It’s the first time I’m happening here, in Florida, I came down from Pennsylvania so it’s my new experience too. We’re known for wings, cheesesteaks, bacon, chicken, cheese, steaks, cheese, french fries, hamburgers, but the cheesesteaks have been number one,” Floyd Austin from Snook’s Wings and Things said.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Laishley Park in Punta Gorda and benefits the Harry Chapin Food Bank. Tickets are available at the door or online.

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