BEAUMONT, Texas — Thousands brought their appetites to the Beaumont Civic Center Tuesday night for the 42nd Annual Taste of the Triangle.
With nearly 40 food vendors it's the perfect way to get to know the food scene across Southeast Texas. Just like last year it was a sold out event.
"I ate a lot of stuff. I ate lamb chops from Fuma, Pour 09, The Truth Lounge, it's so much food I'm full and I just got here," said Keithian Laday, an attendee.
Aromas of oxtail gumbo and street tacos filled the air inside the Civic Center.
"We are so excited to have a sold out crowd. We've been working on this event for months, this is the 42nd year," said Marketing Spokesperson Lauren Bebeau.
For many people that attended, like Nancy Sweeney and Patsy Lummus, it's their first time. Sampling food at Taste of the Triangle means discovering new restaurants.
"This is great because we go to the same old places in Beaumont. And when we go to Beaumont we like try something new," said Lummus.
"Especially for smaller restaurants like us it's gives us a chance to be in front of thousands of people," said Vendor Chef Antoine Ware. He owns Bocca Felice Italian Cuisine and New York Pizza and Pasta.
But it goes deeper than just food. Bebeau says when you purchase a ticket the money goes towards helping culinary students.
"Every year we raise funds to donate to the Lamar Culinary Scholarship. Students who participate in Lamar culinary program are more likely to open a restaurant here," she said.
Laday says he can't wait to come back next year.
"It's a good environment everything is real nice. Everybody is friendly, people are out here having a good time," Laday said.
This year, tickets for the Taste of the Triangle sold out four days earlier than they did last year, according to Bebeau. She says they hope to have more restaurants represented across Southeast Texas next year.