There are places with flashier restaurant scenes than Richmond, cities that grab the culinary spotlight with neighborhoods thick with buzzy eateries and just as many social media influencers.
Taste of Richmond Experience
Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond; www.tasteofrichmondexperience.com
Saturday, March 28, 4-7 p.m.
Tickets $35
In Richmond, finding good food (and there’s plenty) can take a little more discovery. Businesses, including those serving food and drink, are largely spread out, dotting the city rather than condensed into easily strolled clusters.
For many, exploring and discovery are essential elements to the fun — whether tracking popular pop-ups or finally trying that small place you’ve driven by for years. And when it delivers? Wow, who knew chicken and rice could taste so good?
This weekend, a group of city boosters with an eye on the local economy aim to nudge Richmond food discovery, making it easier while keeping the fun.
On Saturday, March 28, the 6th annual Taste of Richmond Experience, a one-stop shop for sampling around 40 local restaurants, breweries, wineries, bakeries, and caterers, will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium (403 Civic Center Plaza).
The event is hosted by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the city’s Economic Development Commission (a volunteer group that advises the City Council), and the nonprofits Richmond Main Street Initiative and Richmond Farmer’s Markets.
Tickets, $35, and are sold at the door or in advance, covering unlimited sampling. The event is billed for ages 13 and over.
“The purpose is to highlight and introduce the many flavors and businesses in our city,” said Diana Wear, vice chair of the Economic Development Commission.
The focus is on supporting small businesses and economic stability, she said.
“Our mission is to bring people together through the joy and purpose of food and art, creating experiences that not only feed our bodies but also strengthen the body of our local economy.”
Tom Cloman, director of Richmond Farmer’s Markets, said: “The hope is that Richmond continues introducing, or reintroducing, some of the valuable assets and qualities of our city. This includes, he said, a “growing food service industry”, as well as places that “have gone unnoticed.”
One of Cloman’s ultimate goals, shared by other event supporters, is developing a permanent pedestrian-friendly neighborhood or community space in Richmond, brimming with a diversity of food offerings and other businesses. It’s a work in progress, he said, but he believes events like the Taste of Richmond help.
Cloman’s organization runs two markets as well as “The Lot,” a mobile food court located at Civic Center Plaza that’s open two days a week.
Several market and Lot vendors are participating in this year’s Taste event.
In addition to food and drink, the event features live music and art. Artisans or crafters will sell their wares in front of the auditorium, where art will also be displayed, including works from the nearby Richmond Art Center. Vendors receive a $400 stipend, funded by the city.
Evolving event
Richmond’s “Taste Of “ events, a popular format of cities nationwide, have changed over the years, organizers said.
For its first few years, it was held at Riggers Loft, the former waterfront winery that shut last fall in controversy around unpaid rent (the building is owned by the city). It was halted during the pandemic. Then it tried a ‘restaurant week’ format at rotating businesses. Last year was skipped.
This year is the first time it’s being held in the auditorium. It was held once before outside, in the Civic Center Plaza. And it’s the first collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce.
One hope, Ware said, is to make it more easily accessible to more people.
She notes the event is being held after an outdoor political rally at the same location.
“We’re meeting. . . just a few hours after the No Kings event in the Plaza earlier that day.”
The array of vendors on Saturday includes everything from smoky BBQ to fresh tropical fruit smoothies and flaky pastries to roasted ears of corn. There will also be tacos, pizza, sweets flavored with Madagascar vanilla, and nibbles reflecting the cuisines of Jamaica, Laos, and the Philippines. A full list of vendors, which includes Sailing Goat, Pai’s Eatery, Rubicon Bakers, CJ’s BBQ & Fish and Salsa Taqueria, can be found on the Taste of Richmond Instagram.
Drinks include wines, beers, hard margaritas, and mocktails, with a spotlight on local brews.
“The response has been lively, though perhaps a bit tamer than we’d like,” Ware said.
Advance ticket sales have been a bit slow, but Ware’s optimistic. “We have learned over the years that many people are reluctant to purchase tickets in advance, preferring to show up at the door.”
To David Friedrich, owner of Pickles and Smoke, a BBQ pop-up appearing at several locales, joining Richmond’s Taste probably won’t cover his costs, but it’s about the mood.
“Once I’m there, embraced in the crowd, feeling and sharing the love, it’s all worth it.”
The economics of food service is tough, Friedrich said.
“I think people need to use less delivery apps and go back to directly supporting the small businesses to put more cash in their pockets. The Taste of Richmond will be a great avenue to showcase all the amazing flavors available to our residents.”
Cherie Amour, sales account manager at Lemur International Inc., which manufactures products using vanilla, cinnamon, and other raw ingredients imported from Madagascar, said this year’s Taste is shorter than in earlier years. “And I like that. I think it will be more intimate.”
Taste first-timer Carmen Wong, who runs Green Panda Eats, a gourmet cookie web and pop-up shop, said she’s excited. “I hope everyone will have an awesome time and appreciate our Richmond Pride.”
