(More Than) Just Desserts

Decadent treats are but one highlight of the Taste of UA

IF THERE’S ONLY ONE FLAVOR you try at the Taste of UA this year, Tom English hopes it will be chocolate.

A newcomer to the 19th annual event, English, owner of Upper Arlington’s Schakolad Chocolate Factory, will be offering up the store’s latest creation: homemade gelato.

“It’s Italian ice cream that we make right here in the store,” English says. “All of our flavors contain our chocolate in one way or another.”

Gelato differs from ice cream in that it is milk-based rather than cream-based, so it has a firmer texture. Schakolad offers 16 flavors of gelato; some of the most popular are chocolate, mint chocolate chip, chocolate mint raspberry and hummingbird, which combines flavors of banana, coconut, rum, mocha and strawberry. Expect to see at least a few at the Taste of UA, English says.

With offerings like those, Schakolad will be vying for first place in the Dessert category of the Taste awards. And with 130 different vendors expected to attend this year’s event, scheduled from 3:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 9, competition is sure to be stiff, say organizers from the Upper Arlington Area Chamber of Commerce.

Last year, the battle for top dessert ended in a three-way tie, says Elizabeth Krause, chamber events coordinator. Caffe DaVinci, Schmidt’s and Two Bites took first place, with Leslie’s Creperie and The Original Goodie Shop taking second and third, respectively.

New this year, one festival attendee will join the panel of celebrity judges to select winners in each category. In addition to dessert, honors are given to the best appetizer and best entree. Attendees also vote on a People’s Choice award, Krause says.

Returning attractions include inflatable games, rides, a larger Bier Garten and Buckeye Mobile Tours, including The Ohio State University cheerleaders and Brutus Buckeye.

Musical entertainment will be on hand as well. Vaughan Music Studios is partnering with the chamber to introduce a new music festival component to the Taste. As of mid-June, the lineup included Central Planners at 5 p.m., Good Company at 6 p.m. and Grassinine at 7:15 p.m. Avalon Nine is also on the schedule.

Chamber President Becky Hajost hopes the music festival, the unofficial title of which is “Local Music, Local Food,” will expand in future years.

“From that whirlwind beginning in 1993, the Taste of UA has continued to grow, becoming the versatile and very successful event that it is today because of the contribution by many in the community,” Hajost says. “The Taste of UA celebrates a local taste and serves as the foundation for a year-round community effort to nurture and grow our local area businesses.”

And she’s not the only one enthusiastic about the event, which will be held in Northam Park.

“I’m very excited. I’m really looking forward to letting people know that Schakolad is here in Upper Arlington,” says English, who reopened Schakolad in October after it closed under previous ownership.

Lisa Aurand is editor of Tri-Village Magazine. Feedback welcome at laurand@ pubgroupltd.com.

Children’s Books

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever

By Marla Frazee

(preschool-grade 1)

Friends James and Eamon go to a week of Nature Camp and stay at Eamon’s grandparents’ house. Soon, they start to think that staying inside, eating waffles and playing video games is more interesting than nature. Fortunately, sometimes things work out best when they don’t go exactly as planned.

Adult Books

Same, Same but Different

By Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

Elliot, who lives in America, and Kailash, who lives in India, are pen pals. By exchanging letters and pictures with one another, they learn that although their worlds look different, the two boys are actually very similar.

While Mama Had a Quick Little Chat

By Amy Reichert

(kindergarten-grade 3)

While Mama has a quick chat with Uncle Fred, Rose is told to get ready for bed. And she tries, but is soon sidetracked by crazy guests, magic, food and music pouring into her house, all while Mama is still on the phone. What’s a little girl to do?

Calico Joe

By John Grisham

In the summer of 1973, Joe Castle was the boy wonder of baseball, the greatest rookie anyone had ever seen. The kid from Calico Rock, Ark. dazzled Cubs fans. Then came a fastball that changed his life forever.

The Night Circus

By Erin Morgenstern

In this spell-casting novel with rich prose, the Le Cirque des Rêves circus arrives without warning. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not – and it is only open at night.

Girl Walks Into a Bar … : Comedy, Calamities, Dating Disasters, and a Midlife Miracle

By Rachel Dratch

A refreshing version of the “happily ever after” story, this side-splitting memoir of former Saturday Night Live star spins tales of dating and becoming a mother at the age of 44.

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