Tasty Day in Collier
Sara-Ellen Lambert
Twenty years ago, the Florida Restaurant Association's Collier County chapter initiated a Naples event that would please the palates of residents who patronize the area's restaurants year-round. Today, Taste of Collier is practically a local institution. More than 10,000 people typically flock to the one-day tasting extravaganza.

Some 30 restaurants will offer samples of their culinary specialties. Those who attend also can check out the ever-popular waiter/waitress race and ice carving contest and find out who won the new chef's contest.

Taste of Collier has raised nearly $500,000 for local charities. Proceeds this year will benefit Catholic Charities of Collier County, MS Home of Collier County, PACE and The Wishing Well Foundation.

The food, music and fun will be on Third Street South from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 4. Admission is $4 per person and free for children 10 and under. Tasting portions cost $ 1 to $3. For more information, call 593-1905 or visit www.tasteofcollier.org.