“South Lake Community Celebrates as 12th Annual Taste of South Lake & Business Expo Sells Out”

The 12th Annual Taste of South Lake & Business Expo, presented by AdventHealth and Clermont Lakes Dental Care, was an incredibly successful event that welcomed 1,200 attendees and sold out completely. The event was held at The Waterfront Park in Clermont and featured more than 70 local restaurants and businesses, offering a diverse range of food and drink options to the attendees.

The event also featured live performances by local country artists Rob Nichols and Mark Houghton, who entertained the attendees with their fantastic music throughout the day. The atmosphere was electric, and everyone had a great time.

David Colby, President & CEO of the South Lake Chamber of Commerce, expressed his delight at the event’s success, saying, “This event showcases the wonderful businesses of South Lake, and we are pleased to present it to our community. We are thrilled with the turnout and the positive feedback from the attendees.”

The 12th Annual Taste of South Lake & Business Expo was more than just a food festival; it was also a friendly competition between the participating restaurants and businesses. Attendees and local judges had the chance to sample a diverse range of dishes and services offered by the vendors. The winners were decided through a survey sponsored by Don Mealey Chevrolet and powered by Verizon, reflecting the community’s top choices and highlighting the exceptional establishments that made a lasting impression on the attendees.

• Best Appetizer: Table Top Catering

• Best Entrée: Guru Restaurant

• Best Dessert: Nothing Bundt Cakes

• Best Alcoholic Beverage: Suncreek Brewery

• Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage: Reggae Cafe 

• Best Food & Beverage Booth Presentation: Amore Restaurant

• Best Business Booth Presentation: OCR Roofing

• People’s Choice Award: Clermont Oyster Bar

The Chamber launched three new features, including preferred parking, shuttle vans, and VIP Early Access, which turned out to be a massive hit with the attendees, offering them added convenience and comfort. The preferred parking option allowed attendees to park in a prime location close to the event, making it easy for them to access it. The shuttle vans were a convenient option for those who parked at Aurelia Cole Academy and delivered a hassle-free experience. The VIP Early Access feature provided exclusive entrance to the event before it opened to our general admission guests, which was a popular choice among the attendees.

The 12th Annual Taste of South Lake & Business Expo was a fantastic opportunity for attendees to taste the best of South Lake and learn more about the local businesses. The Chamber looks forward to presenting this event again next year on Thursday, November 7th, 2024, offering a bigger and better experience to the attendees.

The event’s success was only possible with the generous contributions of sponsors, partners, and committee members:

Sponsors Include:

• Presenting Sponsors 
  • AdventHealth 
  • Clermont Lakes Dental Care 
• Venue Sponsor 
  • City of Clermont 
• Tent Sponsor 
  • Grand Rental Station Party Plus 
• Premier Sponsors 
  • Graphics Direct 
  • OCR Roofing 
  • Root & Branch Bistro+Bar 
  • Show U Productions 
  • Stephanie Walter Promotions 
• Survey Sponsor 
  • Don Mealey Chevrolet 
• Tasting Sponsors 
  • Comcast Business 
  • Culver’s 
  • Firebase Home Inspections 
•  Partnering Sponsors
  • APC Roofing 
  • CSL Construction 
  • Florida Blue 
  • Orlando Health South Lake Hospital 
  • Sorko Services 
  • State Farm – Heather Theis 
  • Village Medical 
• Contributing Sponsors: 
  • Dumpster Today.com 
  • Encompass Health 
  • Find, Feed, & Restore 
  • Kim’s Cabbage Patch 
  • The Golf Cart Company 
  • United Rentals Power & HVAC 
  • United Way Lake & Sumter Counties 
• Supporting Sponsors: 
  • BlueLight Health 
  • HouseMaster Home Inspections 
  • Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards 
  • Verizon 

Partners Include:

• Media: 
  • SouthLake.TV
  • News Leader
• Videographer: Storyline Legacy Films
• Photographer: Sai Photography
• Sponsor Parking Tenants: Give-A-Day Foundation
• Preferred Parking Tenants: Living Message Church
• Event Parking Lot: Aurelia Cole Academy

Committee Members Include:

• South Lake Chamber of Commerce staff:
  • David Colby, President & CEO 
  • Nate Edmund, Marketing & Programs Director 
  • Shahanaz Rahaman, Members Relation Director 
  • Kelly Armstrong, Office Manager
• Michelle Michnoff, Committee Chair, Seacoast Bank
• Amanda Hansen, Seacoast Bank  
• Captain Michael McMaster, Clermont Police Department
• Donnie Hunt, Hunt Industrial Park
• Leesa Hodges, The Hauff Company
• Stephanie Walter, Stephanie Walter Promotions
• Olga White, Orlando Health South Lake Hospital
• Trampis Bon Jorn, Clermont Oyster Bar