PALESTINE — The public got a chance to taste selections from Palestine’s restaurants, wineries, bakeries, delis and other food establishments — including several new participants — during the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual  Taste of Palestine’s event Thursday at the Palestine Mall.

“It’s wonderful. I love the variety, the atmosphere, the music, the whole thing,”  Neches Junior High School math teacher Lisa Harroff said while enjoying samplings from the participant’s booths. “I like you that get to try different things, a little of this and a little of that.”

Only 300 tickets were sold for the event, which sold out early Thursday.

One of the new participants, The Cuckoo’s Nest,  a new bakery located in Old Town Palestine, offered cupcakes, fruit pies, cake pops, chicken salad and other items.

“We do weddings, parties, tea parties for children and adults,” The Cuckoo’s Nest co-owner Rhonda Thomas said. “It’s been nice to visit with everyone during this event.”

Contemporary Catering co-owners Sharron Jones and Judy Johnson offered “mashtinis” during the event.

“It’s a mashed potato with the works in a martini glass,” Johnson said. “It’s gone really well tonight. It was a good way to introduce ourselves as a new catering company in Palestine.”

Subs & Dogs used the Taste of Palestine to introduce its new bratwurst sub, while Palestine Regional Medical Center promoted a healthy baked chicken recipe from their selection of recipes on their website (www.palestineregional.com).

New restaurant Denby’s featured a pineapple mango chicken breast and a breaded chicken with homemade ranch and buffalo sauce.

“It’s gone really well, both dishes we served,” Denby’s kitchen assistant Chase Gibson said. “We’ve had people stop by to say how much they enjoyed it and we had customers visit our booth to tell us how much they like our restaurant.”

Rump BBQ owner Carlos McGriff used the Taste of Palestine venue as a way to introduce people to his specialty — ribs.

“I’ve enjoyed mingling with the public,” McGriff said. Rump BBQ is located in Tennessee Colony and has been open for about a year.

The new Kim’s convenience store on Loop 256 and U.S. 84 East showed off selections from its Subs & Grubs and Java Junction partners. The booth featured philly cheese steak subs with provolone cheese with a selection of parmesan herb, jalapeno cheddar and butter top bread. The booth also offered smoothies made with all fruit and no sugar and double stuffed cookies with cream cheese.

“It’s been a great way to get our product out and spread the word,” Subs & Grubs owner Jason Cole said. “We have fresh breads, meat and cheese — everything is homemade.”

Habaneros restaurant has been in Palestine for a while but this was the restaurant’s first time to participate in the Taste of Palestine. The booth featured mini tacos, chips and salsa.

“We did really good for our first time,” Habaneros’ America Renteria said. “We’ve never done any kind of advertisement for our restaurant, so we decided we would come out here to introduce people to our restaurant.”

At the end of the evening, those attending the Taste of Palestine had a chance to vote for the Best Restaurant, Best Bakery/Deli and Best Winery.

Bishop’s Brisket House was named Best Restaurant/Caterer for the second year in a row.

“Winning this year means so much more to us. Last year we were a new restaurant and we didn’t know if it was a fluke. We didn’t know if we could do it again this year,” said Lori Bishop Young from Bishop’s Brisket House. “We are so happy and grateful to win.”

Janis Bishop added, “The community support that we have received has been tremendous and we really appreciate it.”

Bon Appetit Coffee Shop & Bakery won Best Bakery/Deli for the second year in a row as well.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be able to keep Pierre — what we call the trophy — here for another year. We are excited about the addition of Mike Herod to our staff and look forward to expanding our catering business with his expertise and experience,” co-owner Peggy Marchant said.

Granny Muffin Wines won the Best Winery trophy.

“It’s been a long time coming. We have worked really hard at winning that trophy,” said Mike Johnston from Granny Muffin Wines. “Our display was beautiful — backed with our wines that have medaled. I’m so proud of our girls.”

Granny Muffin, a.k.a. April Johnston thanked her “Muffinettes” Teresa Ellis, Michelle Freeman and Cindy Bradberry for helping with the Taste of Palestine event.

“We couldn’t do it without them,” April Johnston said about her team. “It’s very exciting. This is our fourth year to do this, so we are very happy about winning.”

Other Taste of Palestine participants included: Cotton Patch Cafe, Dairy Queen, Diamond B Ranch, Elkhart Oaks Care Center, Mazzio’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Sabor a Pasión Country House and Bistro, Sisters Dining Depot, Sweet Dreams Winery, The Ranch House and Walmart.