A Successful 2021 A Taste of Covington

This year A Taste of Covington 2021 was a success. Each year, restaurants and drinking establishments in Covington take part in this annual food, wine, music and art festival.

Patrons were local and visitors to the area. The proceeds for this year's A Taste of Covington went to the Covington Business Association which in turn helped to advance the interests of local businesses in the city's historic district.  The annual celebration took place the whole month of June.

A Taste of Covington began in 2012 and was mainly just for locals. As it expanded and became nationally known, it now brings visitors from all around to the event. In the past before COVID, the event took place over 5 days. In 2020 COVID pushed the event back to October 2020 and went to a month-long event.

The month-long event includes all-inclusive four-course or more dinners paired with wines. These vintner's dinners are held at participating restaurants throughout Covington. Also, there is the "Festa Del Vino" which is a tasting with live music, the "Grand Tasting which is an evening with live music and wine and ends with the Sunday Champagne Jazz Brunch.

The Grand Tasting this year was the final big event on June 26th. It was at Bogue Falaya Park Pavilion and had over 150 patrons attend. The guest could taste wines and purchase those they loved. Déjà Vu Band ended the night with patrons dancing to their tunes as the day ended with a beautiful sunset over the Bogue Falaya River.

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The Chef Soiree Moves Back To Bogue Falaya Park This Year

This year the Chef Soiree will be this Sunday, June 13, 2021, from 5pm - 9pm. It will be moved back from the Covington Trailhead to Bogue Falaya Park. The Youth Service Bureau, the event's beneficiary, decided to move the event back to the park to all more social distancing. More space will allow the 50 plus restaurants and purveyors to serve food and beverages. 

 “We’re excited to be back at the park, which will have a new look, but the same feel,” Chef Soiree organizer Bobbie Calandro said. 

Calandro, who has helped organize Chef Soiree for the past 25 years, is excited that the event will take place this year in June instead of its regular time in March. Patrons will now have the opportunity to wear linen to the soiree. A new 2021 Ford Mustang or Escape will be won by drawing at 8:30 pm before the fireworks. The car raffle tickets are $25 each or five tickets for $100. 

 Last year the Chef Soiree was cancelled due to COVID-19. The event organizers are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The layout will be a little different this year due to the guidelines. This year there will be walkways, tents and tables for eating and enjoying two stages of continuous music and a festival-style dance area. Patrons can purchase tickets for $145 per person which includes all the amenities that are offered. The two stages will host live music by The Dominoes, Sweet Crude, Deja Vu and Nashville artist Jake Gunter. 

 This year mark's the Youth Service Bureau's 40th anniversary. The Youth Service Bureau is a St. Tammany organization that helps youth and their families reach their full potential. The service does this through programs for advocacy, counseling, education and intervention. “This is their 40th year and they are doing something right," said Calandro. 

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