Competition Tastes Great at Annual 'Taste of the Town'

More than 20 restaurants competed but the real winners may have been the approximately 250 locals who left with full stomachs after local eateries presented their best at the ROMG Chamber of Commerce's annual gala.

"It gets better every year," said county councilwoman Vicki Almond, a Reisterstown resident.

The restaurants competed in three categories -- casual dining, fine dining and dessert -- and were ranked on a 1 to 10 scale by a handful of local judges, including Reisterstown Patch editor Marc Shapiro.

, in Owings Mills, won in the casual dining category. , on Main Street in Reisterstown, won in fine dining, and Iced Gems also of Main Street, won for dessert.

Brian DeLeonardo, the chamber president, said "Taste of the Town," in its eighth year, has grown significantly since it was first held.

And the restaurants, he said, always bring their "A" game.

"The results were very tight," he said.

Winners will have an award prepared, perhaps a plaque, that owners can then hang in their restaurant, DeLeonardo said.