Newly implemented health codes, costs and hassle shut down this year's What's Cookin' in Wallingford. Last weekend would have been the annual event's eighth year, said event organizer Karen Buschow.
In years past, What's Cookin' took place in the evening for a few hours to introduce and re-introduce the public to Wallingford's unique foods and atmosphere.
The event was considered to be more than just a "Bite" by visitors and participating businesses. Instead of a typical Bite, where booths are lined up next to each other in one vicinity, visitors go into the restaurants all throughout and around Wallingford to not only buy $2 samples of their cuisine but to experience each restaurant's atmosphere and individual style.
"The idea is to bring these people into the door, to show them the restaurant, its ambiance and to also expose them to good food. Many restaurants even have live music playing to add to the event," said What's Cookin' organizer and Julia's restaurant owner Karsten Betd.
Each restaurant is required to pay a $200 entry fee to cover the cost of advertising, tents and tables that are ordered for the event, said Buschow, who is also president of the Wallingford Chamber of Commerce.
For many of the restaurants, there is more money invested than just the entry fee, Betd said.
Betd claimed he loses money on the event, but it depends on what he serves.
"It's a sample, not a meal," Betd said. "The idea is to have them go to as many restaurants as possible. It is a good way to introduce people to different and new restaurants and cuisines. We want them to say 'Hey, this sample was good. I'm coming back for lunch or dinner.'"
"It is a big event you had to prepare for, but it was responsible for a lot of the recognition and awareness for the food in Wallingford, as well as Wallingford itself," McWilliams said.
The current economy forced many eateries to withdraw from this year's event, Buschow explained, especially since Wallingford is comprised mostly of small, independently owned restaurants, coffee shops and taverns.
To even have the event, 20 participants are needed, Buschow said.
"It is difficult because we are a volunteer committee, and we didn't have the personal time to go ask every individual restaurant if they wanted to participate," Buschow said.
There are usually four to five Wallingford community business owners and locals on the event committee.
The cancellation of this year's event has caused tension among the businesses, McWilliams said.
"This is an ego-driven business," McWilliams said. "It's really emotional. Some businesses complain because they don't get as much exposure. However, we'll get the neighborhood recognized. This way they will only have to compete with Wallingford, not all of the Seattle area."
Betd and Buschow agree that changing ownership has also been part of the problem. With constant turnover, it has been difficult to convince new owners and managers to want to participate, they said.
The city also has required restaurants to have permits if they choose to maintain a booth outside of their restaurant. The outside health permit costs $190, and a special type of fire extinguisher costing $15 also is needed, Buschow said.
A percentage of the proceeds go to FamilyWorks, a community-based, nonprofit family resource center that offers classes, employment assistance and house management training.
FamilyWorks also operates a food bank in Wallingford.
The organizers plan on having the event next year and hope to bring in an event coordinator to work with the restaurant owners.
To help with budgeting, Buschow said, they hope to get more sponsors for the event, as well.
"I'm just sad about it not happening," Buschow said. "It's really popular and unique to our neighborhood. Everybody loves the restaurants in Wallingford.
"Although it did not take place this year, I hope people take the opportunity to go to the new restaurants, as well as revisit the old ones," she added.
