Salem News March 9, 2006

LOCAL FLAVOR

By Rebecca Schoonmaker
Staff writer

When it comes to preparing a good meal, taste is given. But appearance is also key.

Just ask Sarah Petryk, events manager at Finz Restaurant in Salem. When Finz agreed to participate in the Peabody Rotary's second annual Taste of the North Shore, Petryk thought about display almost before she thought about the restaurant's jumbo shrimp cocktail, which they will be serving at the event.

"I started to think of what would be a creative table display," she says. "I bring all kinds of boxes and shelves."

Petryk will create a layered effect to show off Finz's shrimp cocktail, which will be displayed in martini glasses. She also plans to use fresh produce and greens to add some color.

After years of doing "Taste of" events, Petryk knows that appearance is important; she wants Finz to stand out from the restaurant crowd with its food and style.

"I think people come to these events expecting run-of-the-mill things," said Petryk, who says Finz has won an award for display at a past Taste of event. "We like to really make a splash."

Finz is one of 19 restaurants and caterers that will show their culinary stuff at Taste of the North Shore this year. Last year's program, which featured 15 restaurants, attracted more than 350 guests.

The event is a triple threat: It offers restaurants a chance to introduce themselves to new customers, guests to enjoy a wide variety of eats in one night at one location, and the Rotary to raise funds for local organizations.

"It's a matter of giving (people) the opportunity to show their cuisine to a large audience all in one place in one evening," said Rotary spokesman Dick D'Ambrosio. "The goal is to raise funds for charities."

"People like to go out, have a nice time, relax and have some good food," said Peabody Rotary President Peggy Pedro.

Variety is definitely the spice of this event. Seafood will have a strong presence; Woodman's of Essex will bring a pot of their famous clam chowder. Naked Fish, a chain with a Lynnfield location, will supply crabcakes and a scallop dish. Petrillo's in Peabody will offer Italian meatballs. And Blair Porter, owner of the Marblehead bakery and café Ladycakes, is baking three sheet cakes, around 12 dozen brownies and even a couple of wedding cakes. There will also be Thai dishes, Italian treats and desserts.

With more than 50 chefs serving up samples, Jimmy's Allenhurst was the club's choice for the location of the event, since it offers ample space; room for about 400 people to sit and eat or mingle and sample. A Taste of the North Shore works like a buffet: Hungry guests will be able to gather food selections from the stations, which will line the dining room. And you can go up as many times as you want to.

"With all the tables, usually you're full by the time you're done," D'Ambrosio said.

Preparations will start a few days in advance of Tuesday's event, but not too early, so that everything will be fresh.

"It takes a full day, and I mean 24 hours," said Porter, who is involved with Taste of the North Shore for the first time this year. She'll split that work into two days, she said, because the baking is time-consuming and she will be doing it all herself. "It's an old-fashion scratch bakery. It's like baking out of your mom's kitchen."

Dinner will be accompanied by live tunes by the Bedrock Music Company and Patrick Runne. Plus, once you've eaten or while you're making room for seconds, you can check out the items offered at a silent auction, including sports memorabilia, a laptop and a scenic plane ride, all donated by local businesses and rotary members.

The event is modeled after Taste of Boston, D'Ambrosio said, which is a similar event held in September to support the Greater Boston Food Bank. This year's Taste of the North Shore will benefit the Peabody Institute Library and Citizens for Adequate Housing Inc.

"We like to support library because it benefits everyone and Citizens for Adequate Housing because housing is tough in the area," D'Ambrosio said.

Get a taste

Check out the local restaurants and caterers that will be serving up their specialties:

Catering by Tevya in Peabody

Century House in Peabody

Chick-Fil-A in Peabody

D'Orsi's Bakery in Peabody

Famous Dave's BBQ in Saugus

Finz in Salem

Jimmy's Allenhurst in Peabody

Kelly's Roast Beef in Danvers

Ladycakes in Marblehead

Naked Fish in Lynnfield

Not Your Average Joe's in Beverly

Perfecto's Cafe in Andover

Petrillo's Italian Kitchen in Peabody

Sidney and Hampton Restaurant and Bar in Rowley

Sticky Rice in Marblehead

Sweeney's Retreat in Marblehead

Tim Hopkins Catering in Ipswich

Vinny T's in Danvers

Woodman's of Essex

If you go

What: Taste of the North Shore

When: Tuesday, March 14, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Where: Jimmy's Allenhurst, 101 Andover St. (Route 114), Danvers

How: Tickets are $25. A $100 ticket admits two people and enters guests into a 50/50 raffle. Call Anders Nilssen, (617) 539-0355, or Scott Bronstein, (978) 538-0009. Tickets are also available at the North Shore Bank, 32 Main St., Peabody, and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, 110 Newbury St. (Route 1), Danvers.