Easton's Restaurants and Businesses Showcased in Sixth Annual Taste of Easton

Business owners, restaurateurs, chefs, and residents gathered at Stonehill College Tuesday night for the sixth annual Taste of Easton conducted by the Chamber of Commerce.

In total, 46 local businesses showcased the best they had to offer. Twenty-five exhibitors and sponsors joined the festivities, and 21 restaurants provided samples and munchies. The Oliver Ames jazz band provided entertainment for the night and a percentage of proceeds from the event benefited the Easton Food Pantry.

This year, the Stoneforge Grille was named as the best dish winner for its sirloin steak courtesy of chef Vasilios Papas. The 'Forge has come close to winning before, including last year when it was a runner-up to Maguire's Bar and Grille.

"We do the steak every year," Papas said. "It's a no-brainer."

This year's winner was chosen differently from the ballot votes of past years.

The Stoneforge was chosen from a panel of undercover judges consisting of selectmen chair Colleen Corona, Oliver Ames Principal Wes Paul, Police Chief Allen Krajcik and Hilliard's owner Judy McCarthy. The panel also named Not Just Thaboule and Bertucci's as Honorable Mentions.

'We enjoyed every opportunity to taste all the food," Paul said. "Everyone did an amazing job and the decision was very difficult."

Jessica Garcia, who was representing the Stoneforge along with Papas, was proud of the restaurant's chef.

"He's a great chef," she said. "He knows how to cook the steak perfectly."