MANSFIELD — The 9th Annual Savor & Sip filled the Mid-Ohio Conference Center with tempting aromas and the buzz of guests eagerly sampling their way around the room. Vendors lined the perimeter, each offering bite-sized servings that kept plates full and conversations flowing.
Rows of silent auction items drew steady attention, with more than 150 offerings from cozy comfort sets to gift cards for fun experiences and indulgent treats. Guests weaved through the tables, tasting, bidding, and chatting, soaking in the lively, social energy of the evening.
Music played throughout the event, adding to the cheerful atmosphere. Toward the end of the night, the band took a break, and all eyes turned to the Firey Wing Eating Contest, sponsored by Weber’s Bar. Contestants tackled increasingly spicy wings while answering trivia on the spot. Recalling the capital of Vermont is tough enough on its own, and doing it while nibbling the Lips of Lava, a wing created just for the event, made it considerably harder.
Congratulations to the winners of the Hot Wing Challenge, American Homestead Exteriors!
The Food
The offerings flowed around the room, showcasing a map of Richland County flavor. Every vendor delivered something to love, and while each table brought something wonderful, a few bites stood out to me as unexpected treats:
Fresh crunch from NECIC
A simple plate of raw vegetables, grown right here in Richland County, was crisp, brightly colored, and a refreshing palate cleanser amid the richness of the other dishes. Lightly paired with a bit of ranch, each bite offered a clean, crisp reprieve between the cheesy, meaty, savory goodness from the other vendors.
Avita’s Apple Pie
Laden with tender, warm-spiced apple chunks, this pie was the ultimate comfort dessert. The crust at the bottom added just enough texture, while the rich filling made each forkful feel like fall on a plate.
Breakfast for dinner
I was excited to see breakfast foods showing up at dinner. Primrose’s breakfast burrito was packed with hearty fillings, and Bytchn Kitchen’s biscuits and gravy pushed things even further, with fluffy brioche chunks smothered in well-seasoned, comforting gravy.
Dan Lew Exchange’s Korean sweet wings
Moist, tender, and perfectly balanced, these meaty wings slid off the bone, coating the palate with sweetness that gradually built into a gentle, lingering heat.
Weber’s Bar potato salad
While Weber’s also brought some delicious wings, it was their potato salad that caught my attention. Creamy and tangy, with firm, perfectly cooked potatoes, it was a mash-up of classic red potato salad and warm German-style potato salad. It was unlike any potato salad I’ve ever had, a truly pleasant surprise.
First-time flavors
A couple of vendors were new to me, and I’m excited to try them again in the future. Scotty’s Pizza and Cowgirl Creamery offered memorable first-time tastes that made the evening even more fun to explore.
Bite Club
Best vendor of the night
Guests voted Exclusively Yours Catering as the crowd favorite. Their thoughtful approach, serving small plates with samples of all six items, made it easy for everyone to taste everything together, and the presentation left a lasting impression.
Extending the generosity
Korinna Goettel of Idea Works Kitchen worked with the Chamber and participating vendors to make sure leftover food from Savor & Sip didn’t go to waste. Some vendors even prepared extra, ensuring there was plenty to share. The dishes were delivered to the Mansfield Fire Department and Mansfield Police Department, and there was enough that Assistant Chief Speelman helped distribute food to additional fire stations.
Both departments expressed genuine appreciation for the gesture, a reminder of how small acts of care can ripple meaningfully through a community.
Savor & Sip is more than a tasting—it’s a celebration of the people who grow, cook, brew, bake, and share food in our region. The night brought neighbors, business owners, and new friends together over something simple and universal: good flavor shared in good company.
Thank you
A special thanks to the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce for organizing this fantastic evening and bringing everyone together.
A huge thank-you to all the businesses who made this year’s Savor & Sip a food lover’s dream:
Savory bites: Avita Health System, Bytchn Kitchen, City Garden Cafe, Dan Lew Exchange, Deer Ridge Golf Club & The Black Dog Tavern, Der Dutchman Restaurant, Exclusively Yours Catering, Gionino’s Pizzeria, Mr. Bills Wood-Fired Pizza, Mr. Hero, O’Charley’s, Penn Station, Primrose Retirement Community, Pump & Grind, Scotty’s Pizza, Skyline Chili, North End Community Improvement Collaborative, Weber’s Bar.
Sweet treats: Bake My Day, Cowgirl Creamery, Dairy Land, Jackie’s Cheesecakes, Richland Carrousel Park, Vivian’s 500 Park Avenue Cafe.
Local sips: Carbliss, Millersburg Brewing Company, Twisted Fig Tea.
Every table brought something unique, and each vendor helped make the night a true celebration of Richland County’s flavors, creativity, and community spirit.
