For the 10th time, SHOP FARRAGUT and the Town of Farragut will host the next version of one of the most exciting evenings eagerly anticipated every year. THE TASTE OF FARRAGUT, (formerly the Farragut Food and Wine Festival), has proved to have a regional draw of more than 1,000 food and fun lovers.

Farragut THE TASTE event 2018; image submitted

This event is presented this year by Tennova Healthcare’s Turkey Creek Medical Center, Farragut’s hometown hospital. It will be held Friday, May 3rd from 6 30-9 30 pm at 11240 Kingston Pike, (across from Farragut High School). Additional support comes with the help of a dozen area businesses including major sponsors, SouthEast Bank, MINI of Knoxville, TDS Telecom, Sitel, TN Bank, Pinnacle of Turkey Creek, Milestone Event Center, Junk Bee Gone and EXIT Realty. Additional Community sponsors include HIS Security, Josh Hemphill State Farm, TVA Federal Credit Union, ONYX Auto Spa and the First Utility District. Media sponsors include B97.5FM, the Farragut Press, i105.3FM WFIV and the Bingham Group. WVLT Television will be broadcasting live from The Taste that evening.

This year’s goal for the Festival is to showcase all of Farragut Life. Not only will it highlight the culinary arts and innovations in adult beverages found in and around the Farragut Community, but it will also include a unique gathering of retail and service providers. Candace Viox, President of the Farragut Business Alliance (SHOP FARRAGUT) states; “We are pulling out all of the stops for our Tenth Anniversary. With two dozen restaurant showcasing their finest samples and over another dozen area businesses promoting their products and services, this will be an evening to share.” In addition to enjoying the food and beverage you will learn about are businesses such as JC Penney, International Flair Jewelers, Staybridge Suites, Hampton Inn, Visit Farragut, AT&T Mobility Services, Clean Bins, Maid Brigade, Edward Jones, 865 Candle Company and Hudson & Harper Designs.

An impressive line-up is committed to bringing the best culinary delights to this annual event. The list includes; Seasons Innovative Bar & Grille, Restaurant Linderhof, Newk’s Eatery, The Cutting Edge Classroom, Jet’s Pizza of Farragut, First Watch Café, Dickey's Barbeque Pit, The Juice Bar, Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop, Clean Juice, Don Delphi’s Pancakes & Restaurant, Water Into Wine, Big Kahuna Wings, Longhorn Steakhouse, Clean Eatz, Buddy’s BBQ, NHC Cavette Hill, Tropical Smoothie Café, The Blue Heron Restaurant, Dunkin’ Donuts and Zaxby’s of Turkey Creek.

The popular beer lounge featuring beverages from The Casual Pint of Farragut and Mind Yer P’s and Q’s will return once again. Live entertainment will be provided all evening long by ROUND 2 recreating the sounds of the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and beyond. There will be plenty of room to dance the night away!

The exclusive “VIB” or “Very Important Bites” experience is back this year. As a very important supporter of the Festival, your $75.00 ticket gets you access to the separate V.I.B. Tent with seating limited to 100. Already THE SHRIMP DOCK has committed to a fine appetizer! You will be treated to a four-course offering provided by separate Chefs! Chef’s will be on hand to explain their dish as it is being served by Festival volunteers. A separate beverage expert will pair each course with an appropriate adult beverage giving the background information to their choice and your palate’s reaction! V.I.B. Patrons will have access to all the other Festival offerings, too!

General admission tickets are $30 for adults (if purchased in advance) or $35 if purchased at the gate. VIB seats are limited to the first 100 sold and are $75. Admission for children under 12 is $10 in advance or $15 at the gate, with children under 5 free. All patrons will leave THE TASTE with a goody bag of offers, discounts and items from area businesses.

Tickets go on-sale April 1st. They are available at all Knoxville Ticket locations, online, by phoning 865-656-4444 or stopping by these fine Farragut Merchants:

• Knox Graphics, 10965 Kingston Pike
• Goin’ Postal, 11519 Kingston Pike
• Water Into Wine, 607 N. Campbell Station Road
• CH Interiors & Gifts, 12556 Kingston Pike ​

Tickets will be exchanged on-site for punch cards giving attendees a record of their samplings throughout the Festival night.

The Festival has many VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES! Receive complimentary admission and a Festival T-Shirt for a few hours of your valuable time! Contact info@farragutbusiness.com for more information.

Finally, area businesses still can participate by contacting SHOP FARRAGUT. Additionally, the Festival has many VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES! Receive complimentary admission and a Festival T-Shirt for a few hours of your valuable time! Contact us info@farragutbusiness.com.