Gourmet Gala heads to Alamo

DICKSON CITY- Let your thoughts stray south of the border if you attend the upcoming 23rd Annual Gourmet Gala, which will be held Sunday, March 21, 5 to 8 p.m. at Genetti Manor located on Main Street in Dickson City. All proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Scranton and Ronald McDonald House Charities of NEPA. Founded in 1986, locally the “house that love built” serves the families of children who are hospitalized here in Northeastern Pennsylvania and is located close to three major hospitals. It’s a special home away from home for the families of seriously ill children who have turned to the house for food, shelter and consolation for 23 years.

John Mackey of Flowers by John Mackey is providing the decorations and setting the stage for the event “that is sure to be a festive atmosphere,” said Kristie Miller McMahon, restaurant committee co-chair, along with co-chairs Leigh Bonacci and Jennifer Strackbein. McMahon has been involved with the event for 17 years. She said, “It’s just a wonderful event. What happens is we have this gala event where we invite up to 50 restaurants and/or food services to come to the events. They give samplings of their specialty items. It’s a fun party.”

Mackey said, “Joe Nish has been on my committee for years and he is doing a really fun fa�ade recreating the Alamo in the entranceway. We’re using bright beautiful pastel colors to create an uplifting spring feeling along with fountains, fresh centerpieces on the tables, Mexican blankets and pi�atas.”

According to organizers of the Gourmet Gala, guests will “have the opportunity to mingle in an atmosphere of celebration, tasting many of the tempting gourmet appetizers, entrees, desserts and wines prepared by over 50 area restaurants in a South of the Border theme.” Ken McGraw will provide the musical entertainment. The chairperson for the gala is Elaine Shepard and co-chair is Ann McDonough.

“Many of these restaurants have come back year after year after year,” said McMahon. “If it’s a new restaurant, guests will get more information about the restaurant and learn more about what they have to offer. We ask restaurants to present a serving size sample and they donate their services and food as well as the manpower.”

She added, “The house provides a home like setting for the families of seriously ill kids. We have an incredible group of volunteers who help year after year. It’s such a solid group of volunteers who are passionate about the house.”

The chair chooses the theme each year. This year’s chair, Shepard, thought it would be a “festive, fun spring event. It’s spring.”

There will also be a basket raffle of items that have been donated by different community sponsors and proceeds from the raffle will also be given back to the house and the charities. Sponsors include First Liberty Bank & Trust, WNEP-TV and Lamar Advertising.

The restaurants participating in the event include: A Little Pizza, Accentuate Caterers, Amici’s Restaurant, Angelo Bistocchi’s, Arcaro & Genell, Atlantic Fish, Bavarian Haus/Inne of the Abingtons, Bella Faccias, Blu Wasabi, Caf� Rinaldi, Carmen’s Restaurant, Casey’s Corner, Chocolate Creations, CMC, Coopers Seafood House, Ehrhardts’s Waterfront Resort, Electric City Roasting Co./Zummo’s Caf�, Euro Caf�, Formosa Restaurant, Genetti Manor, Gerrity’s Supermarket, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, Green Ridge Club, Jilly’s Restaurant, John’s Italian Restaurant of Greentown, Kelly’s Pub, Kiki’s Kreamery, Laird Winery, Longhorn Steakhouse, LT Verrastro Incorporated, The Mackarey Family, Maiolatesi Wines, Mariano’s, McDonalds of Greater Scranton, Moses Taylor Hospital, Noni’s Kitchen Catering, Panera Bread, Patsel’s Restaurant, Pietro’s Restaurant, Pocono Provisions, Price Chopper, Sibio’s Restaurant, State Street Grill, Stirna’s Restaurant, Sweet Sensations, Truly Scrumptious and Villa Maria’s Restaurant.

“It’s the attitude—a really upbeat attitude—and people truly have fun,” said McMahon. “They love going through Genetti Manor and visiting the different restaurants. It’s great for the restaurants. They’re doing this because it’s a wonderful organization.”

Tickets for the Gourmet Gala are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. For tickets or details, call The Ronald McDonald House at 570.969.8998.