New kitchens firing up

June Casagrande

The old-timers know it’s a great gig.

Clayton Shurley’s Real BBQ, Five Crowns, Sabatino’s Sausage Co. --

for years, the restaurateurs of such local institutions have known

that the Taste of Newport is a highly effective and even fun way of

letting people know what their eateries have to offer.

Now, the newcomers are about to find out what these longtime Taste

of Newport participants have known for years.

“It’s a great way to get your name out there,” said Carol Collis,

owner of the Red Rock Chili Co., which will take part in the Taste of

Newport for the first time this year.

The Fashion Island eatery, which opened in December, will be

showing off some of its trademark chilies and other specialties:

Cincinnati-style chili on spaghetti, the super-spicy “Hot Rock”

chili, the milder “White Rock” chili with chicken, a vegetarian chili

and others.

Newcomers also have a little more trouble knowing exactly how much

food to prepare. Collis is guessing that her booth, manned by more

than a dozen volunteers, will dish up about 700 servings a day. If

she’s wrong, the good news is that their restaurant is just a hop, a

skip and a jump away in Fashion Island.

“After the first day, we’ll have a better idea of what to expect,”

she said.

Thaifoon-Taste of Asia is another new participant in this year’s

Taste of Newport.

“It’s going to be a fun event,” general manager Tony Siano said.

“A lot of people on the staff want to get involved because everyone

know it’s such a good time.”

Thaifoon will be serving three of its creative Asian specialties:

crispy coconut shrimp, chicken and mango salad and peanut chicken.

Today begins the hectic preparation by Siano, Collis and everyone

else from all 30 restaurants for the Taste of Newport’s opening day

Friday.

The event will feature sample-size portions of some of the best

menu items from some of the best area restaurants, as well as wines,

beer, live music and even live cooking demonstrations.

Headliners Sugar Ray will perform Saturday night. Neil Diamond

tribute band Super Diamond will perform Friday and the Beach Boys

will perform Sunday.

At the Chefs Pavilion, seven culinary arts instructors from the

Art Institute of California-Orange County will give demonstrations on

preparing delicacies like shallot-crusted sea bass, raspberry white

chocolate creme brulee and a healthy “Chocolate Redemption Cake.”

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.