Taste of St. Walters: ‘It’s not just about food’

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Updated: December 8, 2011 8:09AM

St. Walters Parish in Chicago was busy Sunday afternoon. More than 150 people from the church’s community attended the 8th Annual Taste of St. Walters.

Held in the basement, the room was filled with tables of St. Walters various ministries, who were serving up tasty foods, resembling the diverse ethnic backgrounds of parishioners and the community.

“The parish really celebrates its diversity and in order to really highlight that and to continue to celebrate it,” said the Rev. Pete Heidenrich of St. Walters. “So the idea of this event was born as a celebration of the multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-ethnic composition of the parish.”

The event is also an opportunity for parishioners to get acquainted with St. Walters various ministries.

“Being with the hospitality committee, I like to see the people do all kinds of things that will promote us as we grow,” said hospitality committee chairwoman and Chicago resident Mary Booker. “Every organization in the church has prepared their favorite foods, and it’s not just about food, it’s about the organization and ministries.

Oak Lawn resident and parishioner Nancy Nowac has volunteered at the Taste of St. Walters for the past eight years. Every year is still exciting as the last. “It’s just a great showing of diversity, not only of our culture and our food, but also the people of our church,” Nowoc said.

Adding to the celebration, flags from all over world sat as table centerpieces, as people tasted homemade delicacies such as tamales, salsa, guacamole, quesadillas, polish sausages, chicken, seafood gumbo and baked goods.

Beverly resident Leontynne Charles and her two children, Shamia and Shamari, are veteran “tasters.” They have attended this event for the last seven years. “The food is delicious, I get to meet different people,” Charles said. Her favorite taste this year? “I have to work my way around room, but right now, the tamales are so good,” Charles said.

Thirteen-year-old Shamia said the coolest thing about the taste is being with her friends. And her brother, 11- year old Shamari said being with all these people just warms his heart.

As for the Rev. Heidenrich’s favorite taste? “The homemade salsa.”