The 18th annual Taste of Bexley brought dozens of the area’s best food vendors together for one delicious evening on Oct. 11.
The event took place at the university’s own Capital Center Field House from 5:00-7:30 p.m. The field house has been able to provide more space and seating for attendees compared to previous venues.
Tickets prices ranged from $50-$60, with an option to add on individual drink tickets at an additional cost. Reserved dining experiences and discounted tickets for students of the university were also available to purchase online through the Bexley Area Chamber of Commerce official website.
Beyond the event and student discounted tickets, the event offered students opportunities to meet local professionals and potential mentors.
Heather Walter, the executive director of the BACC highlighted that the primary goal of Taste of Bexley is to support chamber members by providing a platform for local businesses, including restaurants, bakeries and food trucks, to showcase their products. The event serves as a community networking tool to kick off the fall season.
This year there are under 30 food vendors and over 10 business vendors, such as PNC Bank, CoHatch and the Make-a-Day Foundation, totaling over 40 participants.
Unlike the previous years, there is no specific theme. Walter wanted to highlight the event by itself. “I decided that we weren’t going to do a theme this year, and that the event itself was able to stand on its own,” Walter said. “I think with that, it’s helped so much in other strategic decisions and planning, with really letting the vendors and the people involved … and let us put that attention towards the sponsors for the event and [the university].”
There were new features introduced to this year’s Taste of Bexley to increase community engagement. Walter highlighted new introductions, such as a “kids corner” that includes temporary glitter tattoos and cotton candy provided by Pilar Designs, a selfie mirror station that converts your photo using AI technology into a personalized coloring page provided by H&H Luxury Events, a floral bouquet making station provided by Petals That Inspire and many more.
Beyond discounted student tickets, the event also offered opportunities to meet local professionals and small-business owners who further shape the community of Bexley. For Laney Preston, owner of Pilar Designs Face Painting, events like Taste of Bexley allowed her a chance to connect with families and introduce her inclusive community-driven background. Preston highlighted that expanding her services beyond face painting and doing more adventurous activities such as handspun cotton candy and glitter tattoos helps her stand out at large community events.
Preston had previously painted for the Oklahoma City Thunder. After relocating from Oklahoma back to her hometown of Johnstown, Ohio, Preston started rebuilding her clientele in a competitive market by focusing on affordability, inclusivity and high-quality FDA approved products.
“I want families to feel like they belong at my booth, no matter what they can afford,” Preston said.
Preston’s main focus on inclusivity reflects a broader theme among this year’s vendors, many of whom use Taste of Bexley as a way to showcase how their businesses contribute to the broader community beyond food.
Another returning vendor shaping Bexley’s business landscape is The Lion, a craft cocktail bar and coffee shop owned by Mike Davis. Davis manages both front and back of house hospitality operations while emphasizing an elevated customer experience through intricate menu guidance from staff and a unique “dealer’s choice” cocktail option.
The Lion’s outdoor space, The Bexley Yard, has grown into a community hub featuring rotating food trucks, live music and yard games. This dedicated space is what Davis hopes will continue to attract more university students in the future. The Lion debuted a pressurized keg cocktail, something the business has never done before, in preparation for the Taste of Bexley. “We try to offer products you can’t get anywhere else,” Davis said.
Another returning vendor, Nutrition Road, debuted new protein bites. Nutrition Road was founded by brother duo Anthony and Kleber Dutan. The business focuses on high-protein, low-calorie and sugar-free options designed to support healthier eating habits in Columbus. Kleber uses his background in dietetics to offer nutritional evaluations to help customers understand their BMI, body fat and wellness goals.
Beyond the event, Nutrition Road is deeply rooted in community outreach in Bexley and neighboring areas; the business supports local schools like Bishop Hartley, All Saints Academy and the university through sponsorships and fundraisers.
The Dutan brothers participate in community giving by providing school supplies and Christmas presents to neighboring children in need. They aim to educate the youth on healthy eating alternatives by hosting healthy smoothie demonstrations at local academies.
This year’s Taste of Bexley also featured a special appearance from university President Jared Tice, who served as one of the event’s food judges, sampling dishes from across the vendor lineup. His involvement during the Taste of Bexley showed the strong relationship between the university and the Bexley community.
With its blend of food, creativity, wellness and local pride, the Taste of Bexley once again showcased the vibrant network of people and businesses that make Bexley feel like home.
