MURFREESBORO – The first Taste of Murfreesboro event sponsored by the Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce attracted about 175 participants, Sherry Sullens, executive director of the chamber, said Monday afternoon.

The event was staged Sunday at The Commons in Murfreesboro and saw 17 local cooks preparing their favorite dishes to be sampled by participants. Most of the cooks offered recipes which could be “purchased” by participants with coupons, four of which were included with each ticket purchased. Additional coupons could also be purchased separately.

The event raised about $1,600 for the chamber, Sullens said.

Through most of the two hour event, the line of those waiting snaked from The Commons’ front dining room all the way to the back door.

Cooks and the dishes they prepared (some prepared more than one) included:

Cathy Davison, Chesapeake Bay Crab Dip on multi-grain crackers;

Charlie Aycock, Shrimp and Grits;

Berna Stevens, Banana Pudding;

Booker Daniels, Prussle Candy;

Booker Daniels, Boo’s Bacon-Wrapped Figs;

Candy Taylor, White Chocolate Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce;

Carol Piper, Chicken Salad;

Carol Piper, Quiche Lorraine;

Carol Piper, Spinach Quiche;

Danny Blowe, Hot Pineapple Salad;

Danny Blowe, Marinated Green Bean Salad;

David Sullens, Sullens’ Favorite Chili;

David Sullens, Sullens’ Infamous Cream Cheese Pound Cake;

Edna Hammell, Coconut Cake;

Gloria Odom, Kielbasa, Peppers and Onions in Sauce;

Jennifer Hodge, Greek Pasticcio;

Lori Barnes, Chicken, Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya;

Lori Barnes, Chocolate Banana Walnut Cake;

Maryetta Flowers, Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Sauce;

Maryetta Flowers, Potato Cheese Casserole;

Maryetta Flowers, Neiman Marcus Bars;

Lynn Johnson, Homemade Chicken Salad;

John Taylor, Seafood Bisque;

Sara Wallace, Cocktail Meatballs; and

Molly Eubank, Hash Brown Potato Casserole.

Sullens expressed the chamber’s thanks to Hodge “for ‘loaning’ us The Commons,” and to “the ‘chefs,’ without whom the whole event would have been impossible.”