The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) announced the winners of Taste of the Islands – REBUILDING. This year’s event featured on and off island restaurants with the goal of rebuilding after Hurricane Ian. Local judges City of Sanibel Councilwoman Holly Smith, NBC2 News Anchor Peter Busch, renowned local Chef Jarred Harris, CEO and President of Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands Geoff and Robbie Roepstorff, National Food, Wine, & Travel Writer Gina Birch, and Chef Derek Stone rated the restaurants’ offerings in a variety of categories. Participating restaurant guests voted for their favorite restaurant to win Siesta Pebble Pool’s People’s Choice Award.
Taste of the Islands Winners:
Best Breakfast: The Shipyard – Artichoke Chorizo Benedict
Best Appetizer: Mudbugs Cajun Kitchen – Shrimp Cargot
Best Meat: Southern Grill – Burnt Ends
Best Seafood: Cielo – Pan Seared Alaskan Sablefish
Best Vegetarian: Tutti Pazzi – Carciofo Fritti
Best Dessert: Love Boat Ice Cream – Carmel Apple Ice Cream
Best Adult Beverage: Cielo – Serpent Bearer
Taste of Taste: Cielo – Pan Seared Alaskan Sablefish
People’s Choice: Cielo
Despite traffic issues, the CROW CRAWL held on November 18 was a huge success! Scheduled Trolleys, donated by the SCCF’s Sanibel Sea School, shuttled guests to participating restaurants. CROW held interactive educational programs at their Visitor Education Center and guests enjoyed appearances from Animal Ambassadors Talon, the Red-tailed Hawk and Mina, the Great Horned Owl.
CROW is thrilled to announce the event raised just under $100,000. “As the longest running Taste in the Lee County area and the longest fundraiser for CROW, we are blessed to have the support and partnership of the restaurants and sponsors for this year’s Taste.” Says Executive Director, Alison Charney Hussey “We are all rebuilding, and we are so thankful to have the support of our partners. Thank you to all who participated and made it such an amazing success to CROW and our island restaurants!”
The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife would like to thank Bank of the Islands/Edison National Bank for returning as this year’s Presenting Sponsor. This is the thirteenth year in a row that the bank has led the sponsorship for CROW’s signature fundraiser. CROW would also like to thank the event sponsors which include People’s Choice Award Sponsor, Siesta Pebble Pools, ABC7 as Lead Media Sponsor, Waste Management, VCA Animal Hospital, Scalon Auto Group, and Gavin’s Ace Hardware as Sous Chef Sponsors. Sommelier Sponsors Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, Superior Title, Spivey Law Firm, LCEC, Kingfisher Real Estate, Rosier Insurance, Patriot Disaster Specialist, and Maitre D’ level Sponsors Rapid Response Team, Cathie Lewis, and Island Law Office of Janet Strickland.
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About Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)
Established in 1968, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is a teaching hospital saving the sick, injured and orphaned native and migratory wildlife of Southwest Florida and beyond. Through state-of-the-art veterinary care, public education programs and an engaging visitor center, CROW works to improve the health of the environment, humans and our animals through wildlife medicine. For more information, or to plan your visit, go to www.crowclinic.org. If you find an animal that is in need of help, call (239) 472-3644 ext. #222.
