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Chamber Offers Cheap Food, Free Fun

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By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT

IN THE LOOP

Published: March 4, 2009

Instead of just scaling back due to the slumping economy, the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will forge ahead to bring the community a day full of food, fun and discounts at the 2009 Business Expo and Taste of the Town.

The business expo will be March 13-14 at the Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The taste will be Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The theme of the event is Hit a Homerun with the Pros of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

Kathy Dunkley, executive director of the chamber, said the event should be a lot of fun for the community. Around 70 businesses have already signed up, including Treasured Pets Resort and Spa, Just Between Friends, Heritage Bank, Creative Printing, Coldwell Banker and Mad Hatter Utility.

"This is the time for the community to come together at the expo and help to support local restaurants and businesses in order to help keep the economy going," Dunkley said. "There will be a lot of new businesses for people to meet and a lot of surprises. We will also have door prizes, the visit and win contest, free massages and hair cuts by Great Clips for a nominal fee."

During the visit and win contest, the a community member will have a chance to win a $1,000 savings bond for just talking to all the businesses in the expo. After the visitor has talked to all the businesses and filled in the sheet, they will be entered into the raffle.

This year's Taste of the Town will have a new feature with visitors receiving programs with coupons and discounts from the restaurants participating. So far Golden Inn, Pizza Villa, Publix, Sunset Dining, Tijuana Flats, Benedetto's and Weck's Deli have signed up, but the chamber is hoping more still might join. Tickets will cost $1 per sample or $5 for six samples.

"It will be a nice way for the community to be able to save a little money," Dunkley said. "The businesses always give away such great samples and that is an event that should not be missed. We also will have gift certificates from the restaurants that will be raffled off during the expo by radio station Q-105."

On Saturday at 12:30 p.m., Ben Pumo, co-owner of Benedetto's Ristorante Italiano will give a cooking demonstration. He will make Maine lobster, risotto with fresh tomatoes, shallots, garlic and Sherry in a cream sauce garnished with fresh broccoli.

"I have done the cooking demonstration for years now because it gives people a chance to see behind the scenes at Benedetto's," Pumo said. "I like it because it is beneficial to let people sample the food so that it might entice them to come to the restaurant but I mainly do it to support the chamber. It is just a great way for the community to become connected to local businesses."

The chamber will accept businesses and restaurants until the day of the event. For information, visit centralpascochamber.com or call (813) 909-2722.

Reporter Suzanne M. Schmidt can be reached at (813) 948-4288 or sschmidt@mediageneral.com.

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