Annual Taste of Swampscott bittersweet

SWAMPSCOTT – There were savory stuffed mushrooms, hearty clam chowder, spicy salsa and many rich desserts at the third annual A Taste of Swampscott on Sunday.But for some students in the Class of 2014, the class that started the popular event for area restaurants to showcase their products and local foodies to nosh, the smorgasbord evoked a different taste.”It’s bittersweet because it’s fun, but it’s sad to pass it on,” said Deanna Mazina. Several of her friends agreed.For the rest of us, however, there was too much food to stimulate solely one taste sensation. Except maybe sated.More than 25 food businesses from the greater Swampscott area showcased their recipes Sunday afternoon at the Swampscott High School cafeteria. The event attracted more than 350 people to sample cuisine from local restaurants, caterers and other food vendors. Money raised from ticket sales and from auction items – donated by individuals and many other local businesses in a variety of industries – will help the Class of 2014 reduce the cost of prom tickets, graduation activities and yearbooks. After three years, members of the senior class said running the event has gotten easier.”We have it down to a science now,” said Class of 2014 President Kelsey Lombard. Indeed, Class Adviser Joe Bennett referred questions on vendors and attendees to student Austin Sagan, who was tracking everything on his iPad.Sagan, who also offered his cake-making skills as a raffle prize, and Mazina said this year’s event was notable for the online marketing and advertising that students and administrators organized.”I think it worked really well,” Sagan said. “The majority of our (ticket) sales were online and pre-event sales.”The event website also provides links to the restaurants and organizations involved, auction items and even a place to offer feedback.For Dan Clucas, who helps run the newly opened A Sea View Cafe on Humphrey Street, the event was a way to introduce his family’s cafe to Swampscott.”We thought it would be a great chance to get exposure and really wanted the people of Swampscott to have an opportunity to see what we are offering,” Dan Clucas said.Dan’s brother Kevin Clucas agreed. “We’re still brand new and we’re trying to get our name out,” he said, adding the cafe opened Aug. 1 at the former location of the Allo Allo Cafe.David Chalvoy of Christopher’s Cafe on Lewis Street in Lynn said he appreciated the opportunity to do a community event. He described the local restaurant scene as like being in “suburgatory,” where the success and reputation of restaurants is built on word of mouth rather than a well-known and established restaurant scene such as in a big city or by traditional advertising methods.”People will hear about something probably 15 times or so before they actually visit,” Chalvoy said. “So if you can put a face to it, have them peek at the flyer ? it’s all about giving it back to the community and sometimes that comes back to give it to you.”Chavoy said the event was well-organized and, most importantly, it didn’t seem like anybody ran out of food.Which attendee Kathy Welch of Nahant said she appreciated.”Before if you came in late, you missed some (samples),” she said.But this year, the samples were still available as the event drew to a close and the remaining crowd headed to the raffle drawing.And while the Class of 2014 may be leaving Swampscott High in June, local restaurants and food vendors will be offering their wares again next year.”I took this year’s freshman class (as advisees) too,” Bennett said. “So this will continue at least three more years.”