Staffing shortages, pandemic-related hardship cancel 2021 Taste of Chico

>> Because of restaurant hardships and staffing shortages brought on by the pandemic, Chico’s 2021 Taste of Chico event has been canceled.

“The well-loved community food and drink festival that takes place in September is canceled due to restaurant hardships during 2020 COVID-19 closures and our own staffing deficiencies,” the Downtown Chico Business Association announced in a press release Wednesday.

DCBA Executive Director Melanie Bassett said the Taste of Chico is a big commitment for restaurants and is an unreasonable request to make towards restaurants who are struggling.

Bassett said the decision to cancel the event was made by DCBA staff last week. She said she feels the responsible decision was made and hopes to be bring it back it 2022. Bassett said DCBA staff considered how the event could be put on, including a “Taste of Downtown Chico” event, however the decision to cancel it was ultimately made.

The Taste of Chico event has been held since 1985 when it was started by the Chico Chamber of Commerce.

“It breaks our heart not to be able to put it on,” Bassett said.

Bassett said her organization, like many others, has gone into “survival mode” during the pandemic due to the not being able to put in events in 2020 such as Taste of Chico and the Thursday night market. The DCBA has gone from five employees to two during the pandemic, with just Bassett and engagement and communications director Katie Valenzuela currently employed. Between the two, Bassett said, the event was unable to be put together.

Bassett confirmed several other events hosted by the DCBA that will continue in 2021 including the Art and Wine Walk and Harvest Sidewalk Sale from 10 a.m. top 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 as well as Treat Street 2021 on Friday Oct. 29.

Basset also confirmed that Chico’s Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 3 and the Christmas Preview event will occur. A new ice skating rink will be brought to the City Plaza in 2021 as part of the holiday festivities, Basset added.

To see all events hosted by the DCBA visit https:// www.downtownchico. com/signature-events.htm.

EMILY BERTOLINO — ENTERPRISE-RECORD FILE Elissi Bestreich and Andrew Wells are about to dive into a serving of Palooka Nacho Pie from the Wander food truck during the annual Taste of Chico in downtown Chico on Sept. 14, 2014.