Food and fashion will take the stage on Nov. 12 at Taste and Style in Mineola at the Jericho Terrace. The biennial event has become a gathering spot for great local dining, premiere nearby fashion and serves as a main driver in fundraising for Mineola charities.
“This event, all the money stays in Mineola,” Mineola Chamber of Commerce President Tony Lubrano said. “We focus on Mineola restaurants and clothing stores. It’s a great event.”
Fashion shows from Designing Dreams, Robert’s Mens Shop, Richard Harris, Bonaventure Tuxedo, Serafina Design, among others will highlight the evening.
“It’s a huge undertaking,” Tsontos Furs owner and past chamber president Bill Greene said. “What I really love about it is that even in two years, the amount of businesses that have come into the area, especially food and fashion, has increased. Richard Harris is new, Serra Fina. It’s for a great cause with the local charities.”
Mineola Moto of Jericho Turnpike will put on a motorcycle fashion show and possibly showcase motorcycles in the lobby of Jericho Terrace.
“It should be a lot of fun,” Lubrano said.
The big difference between “Taste and Style” and other chamber events like “Night on the Town,” recently held in April, is that the former is exclusive to local restaurants and businesses while the latter is open to all merchants. While both events shine spotlights on Mineola, Lubrano recognizes the Thursday event hits home in a different way.
“Magic happens every time,” he said. “A lot of the things the chamber has touched on lately have really come through in a big way.”
These annual, massive events were done almost every year dating back to 2005. Originally, the chambers’ two nights focused on taste and style with “Taste of Mineola” and “Mineola In Style.” Chamber reps at the time decided to split the two, holding each event every other year.
This year, like in years past, the People’s Choice Award for the best restaurant will be crowned at the end of the night. Attendees will receive a gold coin to drop in boxes located on tables of restaurants.
“It encourages restaurants to put their best foot forward,” Lubrano said.
Traffic reporter for NBC 4 New York’s “Today in New York” Lauren Scala, a Mineola native, will emcee the night with Diane Macedo, a weekend morning anchor for CBS-TV 2, also of Mineola. Nassau Pops maestro Lou Panaciulli will man the keyboard for the night.
“They’re both Mineola High School graduates,” Lubrano said of Scala and Macedo. “They knew each other from the neighborhood and are now newscasters on two different networks. Pretty cool to think about.”
The proceeds of the event will benefit Mineola-based organizations including the Friends of Mineola Library, Mineola Athletic Association, Mineola Auxiliary Police, Mineola Fire Department, MVAC, Mineola VFW, Mineola American Legion, among others.
Tickets are $75 for advanced sale, $100 at the door. Tickets are $65, $55 for seniors and $75 at the door. To purchase tickets via PayPal, go to mineolachamber.com and click “events” or call Greene at 516-746-5500, Lubrano at 516-294-4620 or Steve Ford at 516-746-3944.
