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By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT

Restaurants and businesses from the New Tampa area will have a chance to show off at the 14th annual Taste of New Tampa.
The New Tampa Community Council is sponsoring their annual Taste of New Tampa at the Shoppes at New Tampa in Wesley Chapel May 6 from 1 to 4 p.m.
More than 25 restaurants and 75 businesses have already signed up for the event, but according to New Tampa Community Council President Mary Ann Yaney, they still want more.
“This is all about the charities,” Yaney said. “We really want to make sure the charities get the most money we can give them. The money could help the children get what they need for their sports programs or whatever. More than anything, we need more sponsors and we will take any new sponsors all the way up to the date of the taste.”
Many schools in the New Tampa area and other organizations are volunteering, including Benito Middle School, Wharton High School, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Freedom High School, Turner Elementary School, Boy Scouts Troop 142 and Troop 177, and St. James United Methodist Church.
“The charities who volunteer their time to the event will be the ones to receive the benefit,” Yaney said. “They are paid for their time based on how many people worked and how many hours they worked. It is the fairest way we could find to do it.”
After the costs to put on the event are paid, the money left over will go to the charities, according to Yaney. For each hour each person volunteers, their organization will get a bigger piece of the pie.
Regina Ramalheira, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate and volunteer coordinator, said she already has more than 300 volunteers registered to work at this taste and the taste next year.
“In years past, we had a lot of cash sponsorship,” Ramalheira said. “This year we didn’t, so there will be less money distributed. Our goal is to give back the net proceeds to the charities. We really need more people who own their own business and who want the exposure for their business to sponsor.”
Sponsors will have many opportunities to promote their business at the taste.
“Sponsors will get a free table to sit and pass out materials,” Ramalheira said. “They can put up banners and balloons on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. There were more than 8,000 people in attendance last year, and this is the perfect opportunity for a business to pass out fliers or coupons and attract some business.”
Yaney said they also would like to have more restaurants.
“If any restaurants want to participate, they don’t have to pay anything,” Yaney said. “We just want them to bring in enough food to give away to 2,000 people.”
Many restaurants will be providing food and or desserts at the taste, including the New Tampa area Boston Market, Cold Stone Creamery, Johnny Carino’s, Shane’s Rib Shack, Sushi Tsu, RattleFish Reef Raw Bar & Grill and Sweetbay Supermarket.
“We are going to keep our menu secret until the event,” said Sheila Vaughn, bakery manager at Sweetbay in New Tampa. “We plan on having lots of little gifts like chip clips and Frisbees. It is a good way to promote the business and have a lot of fun. We enjoy being involved in the community. It is also a good way to get our name out there and let people know we are here.”
Gil and Carol Beital, co-owners of Café Cones, will be providing various desserts from their sweet shop.
“We will be bringing in a bunch of different desserts like parfaits, tarts and blondies,” Beital said. “We hope participating will help our business. We hope people will walk over to the store and check it out. We have it set up like the North Pole with a type of winter Disney theme. We sell all types of desserts, from ice cream to Italian ice to chocolates.”
In addition to the delectable treats handed out, there will also be live entertainment by a Christian rock band from Lifepoint Church in New Tampa, performances by the New Tampa Showkidz and a performance by singer Joan Navarra. Many businesses will also have hands-on activities for children at their tables.
Tickets bought in advance are $10; the day of the event, tickets will cost $15 for 13-years-old and older, $10 for 6- to 12-year-olds, and 5 and under are free.
For information or to sponsor, call Yaney at 994-4700.