Taste of Lakes is Kinship's most successful fundraiser

The 19th annual "Taste of the Lakes" to benefit Kinship Partners was the most successful ever with 380 people in attendance, Kinship reported.

The event was Nov. 16 at Breezy Point Resort.

Twenty-two chefs brought starters, entrees and desserts to serve the sold-out gathering.

Guest culinary judge Steve Shapley of Le Cordon Bleu in Minneapolis presented awards to: Bar Harbor for best starter for their pan seared sea scallops with wilted spinach and blood orange butter sauce; The Lodge at Piney Ridge for best entre for Klink's roast pork loin; and best dessert went to Manhattan Beach Lodge for the cheesecake lollipops.

Maucieri's Italian Bistro, Bar and Deli was named The People's Choice award for favorite restaurant. The traveling trophy was presented to them for stuffed chicken, Italian sausage and meatballs, and baked brie.

The People's Choice Art Award, voted by the guests at Taste of the Lakes, went to Joey Halvorson for her photograph entitled "Dry Dock."

Eleven businesses showed their support of Kinship's programs by sponsoring tables as part of the fourth annual Inner Circle of Friends. They were: ATEK, BISYS, Close-Converse, Crosby Eye Clinic, Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Deerwood Bank, Hunt Utilities Group, iLevel by Weyerhaeuser, Kuepers Architects & Builders, Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union, and Nor-son Inc. Wine glass sponsors for the event were Anderson Brothers construction, C-I Communications, Midwest Family Eye Center, Nisswa Marine Inc., and Spalj Construction.

The mission of Kinship Partners is to provide positive role models and guidance to youth in area communities.