Restaurants show off culinary skills

One of Prince William County-Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce's favorite events is coming up Tuesday.

Twenty-seven member restaurants, caterers, banquet facilities and specialty shops will offer samples of their finest dishes at the organization's Cuisine de Commerce Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Heritage Hunt Golf & Country Club, 6901 Arthur Hills Drive, Gainesville.

The luncheon is sponsored by Cardinal Bank, also the very first Agnes Colgan Community Service Award Sponsor. Traditionally, a portion of the proceeds from the luncheon has funded the chamber's two annual $1,000 Shelley Krasnow Community Service Awards.

At the luncheon in May, the chamber's chairman-elect, Lucy Beauchamp, announced that the name of the award would be changed to honor local philanthropist Agnes Colgan, the wife of state Sen. Charles J. Colgan, D-Manassas.

The chamber also uses the holiday event to collect toys, gift cards and cash for donation to Securing Emergency Resources Through Volunteer Efforts Inc. to assist needy local children. Throughout the years, thousands of local children have received holiday gifts thanks to the generosity of those attending the luncheon.

"I've been so impressed by the breadth and depth of the support for SERVE's programs, especially from the businesses and faith communities. Without this generous support, SERVE could not have helped so many local families and children over the past 35 years. We continue to depend on the local community to make this Christmas a little brighter for your neighbors in need in the Prince William County-Manassas area," said Carol Lofter-Thun, president/CEO of SERVE.

The luncheon is open to the public. Tickets are $45 and chamber members receive discounted tickets for $35 prepaid or $40 at the door.

Exhibitors include Buffalo Wild Wings; Chick-fil-A Signal Hill; City Palace Inc.; City Square Café; Clarke's Grill & Sports Emporium; Costco Wholesale; Deja Brew Coffee House; Desiderio Italian-American Grill; Firehouse Subs; Foster's Grille; Four Points by Sheraton-Manassas; Glory Days Grill; Heritage Hunt Golf & Country Club; Kenna's Cookies; Kitchen Gourmet & A Company of Caterers Inc.; L&L Delivery Inc.; La Capilla Restaurant; Oh So Sweet Treats; Okra's Louisiana Bistro; Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of Central Virginia; Red Hot & Blue; Super Chicken; Stonewall Golf Club; UNO's Chicago Grill-Gainesville; WOW Café & Wingery and Zed's Bistro & Wine Bar.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.