Faculty, Staff Sample Local Foods at Taste of Middletown

Olivia DrakeMarch 11, 20137min

Thirteen local eateries and businesses participated in Wesleyan’s second annual Taste of Middletown, March 5 in Beckham Hall. The event was sponsored by Wesleyan’s Campus Activities Committee and the Office of Human Resources. Businesses included the Sweet Harmony Cafe and Bakery, Mondo, Luce Restaurant, Esca, Haveli India, Tibetan Kitchen, Tuscany Grill, W.B. Mason, Wesleyan’s Bon Appetit, the Inn at Middletown and Tavern at the Armory; Courtyard by Marriott – Cromwell and Sheraton Hartford South Hotel.

More than 200 Wesleyan employees attended the event.

Patricia Stephenson Gordon, affirmative action specialist/ administrative manager, fills her plate at the Taste of Middletown.
Patricia Stephenson Gordon, affirmative action specialist/ administrative manager, fills her plate at Taste of Middletown.
Marina Melendez, Dean for the Class of 2014, bites down on a pizza slice from Mondo.
Marina Melendez, Dean for the Class of 2014, bites down on a pizza slice from Mondo.

Jen Kleindienst, sustainability coordinator, tries a crab cake bite courtesy of Sheffield's Restaurant at the Crowne Plaza- Cromwell. To promote sustainability on campus, Kleindienst brought her own plate and utensils to the event.
Jen Kleindienst, sustainability coordinator, tries a crab cake bite courtesy of Sheffield’s Restaurant at the Crowne Plaza- Cromwell. To promote sustainability on campus, Kleindienst brought her own plate and utensils to the event.
Charles Carroll, assistant technical director/ scenery specialist at the Center for the Arts, samples penne pasta from Esca.
Charles Carroll, assistant technical director/ scenery specialist at the Center for the Arts, samples penne pasta from Esca.
Frank Marsilli, Usdan/Fayeweather facility and events manager, samples potato soup from the Courtyard by Marriott of Cromwell.
Frank Marsilli, Usdan/Fayeweather facility and events manager, samples potato soup from the Courtyard by Marriott of Cromwell.
Andrea Kelly, program and events coordinator at at the Office of Admission, tries a peanut butter chocolate cupcake from Sweet Harmony Café and Bakery.
Andrea Kelly, program and events coordinator at at the Office of Admission, tries a peanut butter chocolate cupcake from Sweet Harmony Café and Bakery.
Sweet Harmony Café & Bakery offered five types of cupcakes to sample.
Liz Tinker, administrative assistant in the English Department, samples steak from Luce Restaurant.
Liz Tinker, administrative assistant in the English Department, samples steak from Luce Restaurant.
Many Taste of Middletown attendees donated non-perishable food items and cash to Middletown’s Amazing Grace food pantry.  (Photos by Olivia Drake)
Many Taste of Middletown attendees donated non-perishable food items and cash to Middletown’s Amazing Grace food pantry. (Photos by Olivia Drake)