A tasty and colorful look at this year's Taste of Carmel.

Taste of Carmel is a culinary carnival.

There was a sea of cowboy hats—the theme was Western—making the rounds and breaking it down on the dance floor. One of the veteran wine pourers said it’s her favorite event to work, up there with Pebble Beach Food and Wine, and it's easy to see why. 

The event took place Thursday, Oct. 2 at the Carmel Mission Basilica. Going in, ticket holders expect there to be an impressive lineup of food and beverage offerings, but there was far more than this writer expected. The smashburger with American cheese, sweet onion, lettuce, tomato plus a delicious house sauce from Del Monte Bar & Grill was definitely a highlight (yes, I know—it’s not a Carmel restaurant, but this is a culinary showcase that goes beyond the village). 

Toro Sushi is in the village. I stopped at their table several times for bites with black rice, shiitake and carrot tartare, edamame purée and a drizzle of sweet chili lime sauce. I also found the green chili chicken enchilada cupcake from Mirth both amusing and clever—adorable little pastry cups filled with flavorful chicken and topped with dainty edible flowers.  

Vendors included Fog’s End Distillery from Gonzales with their lineup of rums and gins and the newly opened Sea Shack Candy Co. in Carmel, with goodie bags of Swedish candies. 

This event is organized each year by the Carmel Chamber of Commerce. It's their way to throw a party that also brings attention to local businesses. And a veteran attendee said—without complaint—that it gets bigger each year.

One thing I also learned on my first visit to the event: Be sure your boots are made for walking, because onsite parking is scarce.