Taste of Carmel is billed as the largest indoor food experience in Carmel.
The 15th annual Taste of Carmel, benefitting Orchard Park Elementary, is set for March 1 at the East Event Centre, 502 E. Carmel Dr.
The VIP party starts at 5 p.m., followed by the VIP and table guest entry at 6 p.m. and general admission at 6:30 p.m.
Karla Walsworth is the event chair for the Taste of Carmel committee and is treasurer of the Orchard Park PTO board.
“We have a unique situation at Orchard Park compared to other Carmel Clay schools,” Walsworth said.
Walsworth said financial assistance is provided to approximately 40 percent of OPE students to cover items such as lunches, school supplies and book rental. The PTO board then decides what to use the remaining funds for, such as field trips.
Walsworth said the committee is made up entirely of volunteers.
“We have 45-plus vendors, and that number has grown since we moved to 502 Centre because it’s bigger than where we were previously,” Walsworth said. “We usually have about 1,000 people every year, so it’s a big group. Our committee has grown to meet the needs of our fundraiser. It’s a lot of fun.”
Walsworth said dedicated members help put it on.
“Several of them have been doing it a lot longer than I have,” she said.
The tastings come from restaurants, breweries, wineries and caterers from Carmel and the north side of Indianapolis.
There will be a silent auction as well. Walsworth said $13,000 was raised from last year’s event.
General admission tickets are $35. The VIP First Taste tickets are $75, with sales ending Feb. 28. For more, visit tasteofcarmelope.com. Current in Carmel is among the event’s several platinum sponsors.
