WS Chronicle

By Busta Brown

Taste of the Triad restaurant is bringing “A Taste of the Arts Holiday Gala” to Winston-Salem this Saturday, Dec. 9, at 4320 Old Walkertown Road from 6-10 p.m. Come enjoy a live band, DJ Franchize, a silent auction, and all you can eat buffet.

A Taste of the Arts will also spotlight local artist paintings and allow the artists to sale their art. Proceeds of the ticket sales and silent auction will go to Vibe Funktion Non-Profit Youth Organization and Union Chapel Baptist Church.

Pastor Konnie G. Robinson of Union Chapel is an avid supporter of businesses in the community for many years, and Vibe Funktion helps youth and adults realize their vision for art, whether it’s spoken word, musical or painting art.

Sabrina Wingo is the visionary for The Taste of the Arts Gala. She’s a Winston-Salem native and graduate of East Forsyth High School class of ’85. Wingo now lives in Detroit, and she’s been there for over 20 years. “I’m home for the holidays every year, and one day I walked into that restaurant, and said there should be something more on the walls, and that’s where my vision came for art, because North Carolina is known for its art.”

In April 2017, she made an investment into the restaurant. “It’s something I thought I would never do. I’m in Corporate America, I sell hardware and software, but I love people and I believe in giving and sharing and leading by example, so this investment was born from that personal spirit.”

Taste of the Triad opened its doors to the Twin City in August 2017. Wingo’s aunt Elaine Malone did the hard work, spending four years gutting the old Bell Brothers restaurant. Manager Paula Thomas through faith has stepped away from Corporate America to help manage Taste of the Triad, and Chef Steve Waddell is the kitchen manager and responsible for the soul in the food.

“We have a great team dedicated to great service and consistency,” said Wingo. Her mother and everybody’s mom at the Taste is responsible for all of the homemade delicious desserts like sweet potato pie, German chocolate cake, lemon meringue pie, lemon pound cake and the latest favorite, honeybun cake.

Taste of the Triad won a contract to cater for Carter G. Woodson School in Winston-Salem.

The successful corporate businesswoman said her mom is her rock. “Mom has been with me on this journey every step of the way and I could not have done it without her. We’re thankful for those in the Triad that have supported us through our growing pains and I assure you that we are constantly striving for service excellence at The Taste of the Triad.”

The Taste of the Arts Gala is sure to spark others to want to invest around Ogburn Station, so the community will not be left behind. “It’s so amazing that those places have been abandon for so many years,” said Wingo. Ogburn Station isn’t thriving like it did in the past, so Sabrina Wingo would like the businesses in the Winston-Salem area and in the Triad to please give them a call to talk about ways to develop partnerships through catering, private events, job placements and charity.

This will be the first Taste of the Arts Gala, and the goal is to bring two per year to showcase art, artists and love for the community.

“So we’re going to start right, to make Taste of the Triad a destination.” For more information about A Taste of the Arts, go to  www.tasteofthetriad.com.