Taste profits will go only to library

The Taste of Huntington Beach, an annual culinary event marred last year by counterfeit tickets, is on track to celebrate its first decade Sunday.

More than 50 restaurants, wineries and breweries plan to take part in the four-hour event, which raises funds for the Huntington Beach Children’s Library. In the last 10 years, the Taste has garnered about $500,000 for the library’s books and programs, according to Erika Reardon, event committee chairwoman.

In 2009, though, the organizers ended up needing a boost to pay their beneficiaries. About 200 counterfeit tickets were sold for the Taste, depriving the library of more than $11,000. After news of the fraud broke, community members — keeping their names anonymous — donated nearly $9,000 to make up the loss.

However, Stephanie Beverage, the city’s director of library services, said she didn’t expect a similar problem this year.

“So far, the Taste of Huntington Beach committee has done a really good job of securing tickets and preventing the kind of fraudulent replication that happened last year,� she said. “They’ve put a lot of safety measures in place, and I think those will make a difference.�

In past years, the Taste has always benefited the children’s library, but organizers have also diverted funds to other groups, including the Marines and the Boys & Girls Club.

This year, though, the city’s massive cut to library funds inspired Reardon and her colleagues to contribute all their earnings to the children’s programs.

“There’s no one here at fault now except the world the way it is,� said Reardon, whose Erika’s Catering Co. is among the restaurants in the Taste. “But we figured we should give them all the help we could this year.�

A record number of eateries are participating this year, with many longtime members returning and several new ones joining the fray. Among the staples is the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory on Main Street, which has joined the Taste every year.

Owner Stephen Daniel said his staff planned to make 50 to 75 pounds of fudge for Sunday and offer samplings of new products as well.

The Chocolate Factory, like other participants, makes no money at the Taste, but Daniel said the event brought him valuable publicity.

“My business is 60%, 70% local,� he said. “I like to keep in front of them so they’ll remember me in December when they need their Christmas chocolate.�

The event is scheduled to run from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Huntington Beach Sports Complex, 18100 Goldenwest St. Standard tickets are $65, with an $85 VIP ticket that includes early entry at 11 a.m., a commemorative champagne flute and T-shirt, and a private concert.