Taste of Manatee announces award winners

Eighteen Bradenton-area restaurants turned out for the Taste of Manatee at Sutton Park in Palmetto Oct. 3-4. The annual fundraiser for the West Bradenton Rotary attracts thousands of people for two full days of local food and live music.

Besides pleasing the hungry crowds and contributing to worthy causes, the restaurants vie for awards in various categories. The winners were announced Tuesday. Here they are:

Best appetizer:

First place -- The Blu Mangrove Grill, fish tacos

Second place -- Riverside Waterfront, barbecued chicken

Third place -- St. Mark's Church, pierogis

Best dessert:

First place -- The Big Cow Creamery

Second place -- Sugar Cubed

Best specialty food item

First place -- The Riverhouse Grill, lobster corn chowder

Second place -- J & J Barbecue, ribs

Third place -- Edelweiss Restaurant, knockwurst and sauerkraut

Best entrée:

First place -- The River House Restaurant, spicy and green goddess shrimp.

Second place -- Riverside Grill, pulled pork, black beans and rice.

Third place -- The Blu Mangrove, sushi.

Best Newcomer: South East High School Culinary Program

Best Booth: The Riverside Waterfront

Best of the Best: St. Mark's Church

--Marty Clear

This story was originally published October 6, 2015 at 4:59 PM with the headline "Taste of Manatee announces award winners ."