"Savor the Flavors" thrilled attendees while raising money for scholarships.

For the tenth straight year, “Savor the Flavors,” the CSI Alumni Association’s signature event, provided a broad and exciting showcase of the Island’s finest cuisine, while raising much-needed funds for student scholarships. More than 300 people were on hand to enjoy the culinary delights on April 7.

Donna Garambone, Development Specialist, underscored the importance of the event for CSI students. “This wonderful event gives the community a chance to come together and sample some amazing food and drink. Most importantly, over the past nine years, “Savor the Flavors” has raised enough funds to grant 45 Alumni Legacy Scholarships to CSI students, making a significant impact in their academic lives.”

This year, there were some changes to the event. First of all, this is the first year that “Savor” has partnered with the Staten Island Advance’s Cookbook Taste-off, where 15 finalists presented their recipes/dishes and were judged separately. Also, because of this collaboration and an expected increase in attendance, the venue for the event was moved to the Sports and Recreation Center.

As in year’s past, judges from the Food Network’s Chopped, Rob Burmeister and Sean Quinn, picked the best dishes. The winners were:

-Best Dish: Port Richmond High School Culinary Arts Program

-Best Dessert: Mark’s Bake Shoppe Carrot Cake

-Most Unique: J’s on the Bay Jellyring Shake

-Best Décor: Ho’Brah Taco Joint

The attendees also had a chance to voice their opinion with the People’s Choice award, which went to the Jellyring Shake from J’s on the Bay.

The event, which was chaired, once again, by James McBratney ’05, received support from student volunteers from The Verrazano School Honors Program.

Restaurants and businesses, which graciously donated food and beverages for the event, included: Beans and Leaves, Board and Brush, Cake Chef/Cookie Jar/Piece-A- Cake, Canlon’s Restaurant, Chef Mike’s Rodizio Grill, Corner House BBQ, Dave & Busters, Don Chucho Restaurant, Flagship Brewery, Ho’Brah Taco Joint, Il Pallino, Jimmy Max, J’s on the Bay, Leo’s Deli, Lobster House Joes, Mark’s Bake Shoppe, Melissa’s Sweets & Treats, Miller’s Ale House, Mother Moose, On Your Mark Chocolatier, Oriental Plaza, Panini Grill, Park Café, Port Richmond High School Culinary Arts Program, Project Brunch, Real Madrid Restaurant, Sofia’s Taqueria, Staten Island Winery, Stone House, The Burrito Shoppe, The Chef’s Table, The Kettle Black, and Violette’s Cellar.