Judging by the taste… sprouts stole the show!

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Is it possible that a vegetable could turn out to be the best thing I ate all day at the 42nd Taste of Buffalo? Can it compete with ribs, and wings, and candied nuts?

It can if it is brussels sprouts with a twist: a little sweet, a little spicy and cooked a little crispy.  Loved it!

And my husband and I weren't the only ones.

The Barley brussels from Resurgence Brewing Company were judged to be the Best Overall Item at the Taste this year, and that's saying something with close to 50 food vendors each serving three to four items a piece!

I'm happy to say that Resurgence was one of the three food vendors I was assigned to judge in my much-coveted role as food judge at the Taste of Buffalo. Believe me, it's an honor, especially when the food is a good as the folks from Resurgence were dishing up this year: Barley brussels, stuffed pepper arancini, and Grandma's Golumpki's. Each one was excellent.

I'm also happy to say that another restaurant I judged along Niagara Square took honors as the Louis J. Billittier, Sr. Rookie of the Year: Roaming Bison BBQ.

Owner Greg Herzog said he's had good luck in other tasting competitions, and he had it again on Saturday with his stuffed smoked slider, loaded mac and cheese, RBT pork ribs and smoked wings. Herzog is a big winner at his first Taste of Buffalo and he had a long line of customers to prove it.

There are no awards for most enthusiastic booth at the Taste, but I'd give it to Leona Harper and her ensemble of volunteer Girl Scouts. On this steaming hot day, they were selling bottles of water with the advice to stay hydrated.

Victorianbourg Wine Estate had their wine bottles set up to glisten in the sun and walked away with top honors for D'Astra as Best White Wine at the festival.

Expect it to be hot and crowded if you visit the Taste of Buffalo, but that's exactly what comes with the largest two-day food festival in the country. Great food, entertainment and a chance to elbow up to old friends — and make new ones.

It's a festive Buffalo tradition that's still full of surprises — like brussels sprouts winning Best in Show. Who knew?