WINNERS OF THE ANNUAL “TASTE OF MORONGO BASIN” EVENT

A large crowd of Morongo Basin food enthusiasts were on hand at the Bell Center in Joshua Tree Saturday night for the 2015 “Taste of the Morongo Basin.” The popular annual event is a fund-raiser for the Rotary Club of Joshua Tree Foundation with proceeds going to local charities, community improvement projects and scholarships. Morongo Basin restaurants are invited to bring samples of their food and fixings; local judges taste and test the samples while attendees also tasted and then voted for their “People’s Choice.” The big winners for the night were the 29 Palms Inn, taking the Judges’ Choice and Bruce’s Coyote Kitchen taking the People’s Choice awards.

Also getting kudos were Papa’s Smokehouse, winning for “Meat Lovers,” the Middle Eastern Restaurant for “Best International,” Cool Daddy O’s for “As Good as Mom’s” 2 Guys Pies for “Best finger Food,” and The Joshua Tree Saloon and Grill for “Best Dessert.” Joshua Tree Rotary Club President John Zaccariah and Rotarian Ed will shared the announcing and raffle duties.