Business & Tech

Taste of Parsippany Offers a Flavorful Night Out

Local restaurants and food vendors put their edibles on display in hopes of boosting business in a bad economy.

A tasteful time was had by all at the seventh annual Taste of Parsippany at the Sheraton Parsippany Sept. 26. Restaurants, catering companies and other area businesses put their delicacies on display, giving area residents an opportunity to sample a wide variety of cuisines.

The Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and the Parsippany Visitor Center made the event possible. Proceeds go to benefit the organizations' community and economic development projects.

Of course, the money made is not the point, said Robert Peluso, president of of both the Chamber of Commerce and the Visitor Center.

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"This is about supporting the community, giving exposure to businesses, people learning about restaurants," Peluso said. "Taste of Parsippany is about giving a kickstart to the local economy."

The idea is that people come to the event, sample edibles from participating restaurants and later become loyal (repeat) customers of their favorite new eateries.

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Peluso says the plan works.

"We estimate about 450 people attended," he said. "Some restaurants had to leave and come back with more food. That's how many people were here, and we hope they now will support these restaurants." [Peluso has more to say in this .]

Abdel Elakkari, chef and owner of Marakesh Restaurant, said he was pleased with the turnout. This year's event was his second Taste of Parsippany, and he said he was very happy to return.

"I enjoy cooking, serving the people... I love the food business," said Elakkari, whose Moroccan cuisine restaurant has served Parsippany for about 15 years. "Things are going well for me, but with the recession, things could be better. This [event] offers a lot of opportunity."

Edward Hansberry is seeking opportunity as well. A native of Ireland, he came to the US in 1968, the same year in which he founded the deli. Hansberry said he's dealt with ups and downs over the decades,  but the nation's economic woes have hit him hard.

"We used to have people come for lunch every day of the week. Now, we are lucky if they can afford to do it once or twice each week. And our prices are reasonable, very reasonable," he said. "When I started 44 years ago, the same year I emigrated to America, my plan was to be able to retire at 60. I'm 68 now and not able to retire."

Hansberry said he still believes in the American Dream, though.

"I would say I'm optimistic. That's why I am here to introduce new people to the Parsippany Deli," he said. "I'm here to start over to rejuvenate my business."

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Craig Schlosser said vendor participation shows that many Parsippany business people believe in the power of the American Dream.

"They believe success is possible, and for many of them, this event will help them achieve it," he said. "There is a lot of potential for economic growth and success here in Parsippany."

A big focus of Taste of Parsippany is the yearly silent auction fund raiser. About 90 items were made available for bids by eventgoers, among them, family memberships to the Sheraton Hotel's Atlantis Sports Club and Spa, an overnight stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites Parsippany North, a Tipperary crystal lamp from the Parsippany Deli, a free procedure from Will Anthony Permanent Cosmetics and gift cards and certificates for a varied selection of local businesses.

Spotlighted eateries and enterprises at Taste of Parsippany included Anthony Franco’s, Applebee’s, Apple Spice Junction, Bistecca, Coca-Cola, Costco, Edible Arrangements, Gourmet Cafe, Greenberry’s of Morristown, The Great Wazu, Jeremiah's, Jersey Mike’s Sub Shop, Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars, Marakesh, Muscle Maker Grill of Parsippany, Not Only Cookies, Parsippany Deli, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, ShopRite and TGI Fridays.

You can find more articles from this ongoing series, “Dispatches: The Changing Amerian Dream” from across the country at The Huffington Post.


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