The 'Taste of Recovery' culinary festival raises more than $130,000

The event will benefit local recovery organization The Crossroads Club. It was estimated that between 800 and 900 people were present.

LAKE WORTH BEACH — The American-German Club in Lake Worth Beach transformed into a culinary festival for the sixth time Taste of recovery.

The event, founded by Chef Louie Bossi of Louie Bossi’s Ristorante and Pizzeriabenefited The Crossroads Cluba non-profit organization based in Delray Beach that has been around for more than 40 years. The organization provides a safe haven free of charge to anyone whose life has been negatively affected by the use of addictive substances.

The event is significant for Bossi, who is now 16 years into his own recovery and nearly died of a drug overdose on the subway. Since then, he has wanted to spread awareness and gratitude for those who helped him get clean and sober.

The event, held on Saturday, November 2, featured food from numerous area restaurants to support the cause and attracted approximately 900 people.

Organizers are still working through the details and costs, but co-chair Joan Finley expects to have raised more than the $130,000 raised at last year’s event.

For Eddie Rodriguez of Boynton Beach, the festival provided an exciting, alcohol-free environment for people like himself who are in recovery.

“Life is about having fun,” Rodriguez said. “There’s a lot going on on this road. Negativity, stress, having sons in school, for me personally, work.” Spending two or three hours at an event like Saturday’s makes life worth living, he said.

Many of the event’s volunteers were also present for personal reasons.

For Lilly Moore, who was from Miami, participation came from her connection to the recovery community, as her parents are in recovery. Moore enjoyed the atmosphere of the event and of course the snow cones. It was her second year as a volunteer.

“I’m just cleaning people up, smiling, showing everyone where the drinks are,” Moore said. “Everyone is so friendly here. There’s a lot of talking, meeting people and eating. Who doesn’t love food, right?”

Participating locations in this year’s Taste of Recovery included City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill, Elisabetta’s Ristorante, City Oyster & Sushi Bar, Rocco’s Tacos, Little Moir’s Catering, AJ’s American Grill and Windy City Pizza.

General manager of Elisabetta’s Chad Nitzky has been working at the event for three years.

His favorite part of the festival?

“Giving back to the people, enjoying good food and having fun,” he said.

A “People’s Choice” Award for “Best Bite” was presented to City Cellar, along with a $1,500 cash prize. City Cellar also won the first place “Critic’s Choice” Award, with a cash prize of $2,000. Rocco’s Tacos came in second, with a prize of $1,500.

Vendors at Taste of Recovery included Pea Pie’s Studio, Balanced Organics, Lanie’s Apothecary, Heaps Surf Company, Love Your Liver, Fur-Ever Chic Boutique and Beach Bum Supply Co.

Jasmine Fernández is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X (formerly Twitter). @jasmijnfernandz. Support our work. Subscribe today.