Laura Peters|The News Leader
STAUNTON - Staunton's Indian restaurant is moving locations, get ready for the food truck battle with these vendors and residents are battling for the Valley Voice Off — here's the buzz.
Indian restaurant
Taste of India will be moving locations come mid-August. But first, they have to close for a bit, owner Nishan Khatri said.
Aug. 1 the restaurant will close and relocate to the historic Beverley Hotel on New Street in Staunton. It's actually the original location that Khatri opened his restaurant in back in 2011for nearly a year.
They had to close their Beverley Hotel location because the toilet in an apartment above the restaurant leaked sewage into the business.
After repeated citations for building and health violations, the city stepped in and ordered the century-old Beverley Hotel be vacated in September 2011.
Now, Khatri is excited for the newly renovated building and better access than on West Beverley Street.
"The building is totally new," he said. "Parking will be good."
The Beverley Hotel was purchased in 2017 byRobin Miller and Dan Gecker, ofthe Village Development Association. The building has been in the renovation process throughout the whole building and to add new apartments on the second floor and above.
Khatri moved to Harrisonburg in 2009 from Nepal. One of his family members owns the Taste of India in Harrisonburg.
He said the new location will be similar in size with a new modern styled decor. There will also be a slight change in menu, including new pieces, and a small price increase in the buffet.
"We just want to let people know that we are moving and not closing for good," he said.
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Food truck battle
Vendors have been announced for the annual Virginia Food Truck Battle.
The fifth annual Virginia Food Truck Battle will be held at Augusta Expo in Fishersville on Sunday, Sept. 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Last year, the battlemovedover to Expo. Previously, the event washeld at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton. Due to the event growingeach year, more space was needed.
The vendors confirmed to participate this year include:
- 106 Street Food — Charlottesville
- The Bageladies —Charlottesville
- Blue Ridge Pizza Co. —Charlottesville
- Chubbee Monkey —Stuarts Draft
- El Chilango Mexican Grill —Nelson Country
- Farmacy —Charlottesville/Keswick
- Freckles and Friends —Charlottesville
- Gonzo’s Pollo — Staunton
- Haulin’ Balls —Richmond
- Hops Kitchen —Staunton
- Holy Smokes —Staunton
- The Lovin’ Crab —Waynesboro
- Matchsticks BBQ Co. —Williamsburg
- Mattie’s Soft Serve —Stanley
- New Orleans Style Snowballs — Woodbridge
- Paella Perfecta —Harrisonburg
- Perk Place Coffee Company —Fishersville
- Rock’s Money Pit BBQ —Staunton
- Thrill of the Grill — Crozet
Other vendors will be announced closer to the event.
The Virginia Food Truck Battle is a fundraiser thatbenefitsThe MaDee Project, a local nonprofit foundationthat provides financial support for families dealing with pediatric cancer and for national research to combat pediatric cancer, a release said.
The food truck battle is the largest fundraiser The MaDee Project holds each year. All the proceeds from the event goes to help families battling pediatric cancer in four counties with financial needs and emotional support that they receive monthly from the nonprofit.
Last year’s Virginia Food Truck Battle raised $40,000 through the event proceeds and sponsorships from local businesses, a release said.
With the money raised in 2018, the MaDee Project was able to provide monthly support to 25 area families impacted by pediatric cancer, the release said.
Tickets for the event are for sale through Eventbrite.
- VIP Tickets are priced at $40 in advance and will be $45 the day of the event.
- General admission tickets are currently priced at $10 and will be $15 the day of the event.
- Beer taster tickets are available currently at $20 and will be priced $25 the day of the event.
The Virginia Food Truck Battle will also post updates on its Facebook page and its website at TheMaDeeProject.com.
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Valley Voice Off
Staunton will see its second Valley Voice Off this year, where singers in the area can competein the singing competition at Downtown 27 in Staunton's Clocktower Restaurant. The competition is put on by tellAplay Entertainment.
The winner of the competition receives $400.
The first "Voice Off" in Staunton was held this past winter.
"The last season was a great turn out," said Aaron Hale, of tellAplay Entertainment. "The competitors were not only amazing singers, but the finalists were spectacular performers overall."
The first open audition was July 19, but people still have a chance to attend an open audition July 26 at 9 p.m.
The the schedule is as follows:
July 26 — Open auditions — 9 p.m.
Aug. 9 — "Battle Royale" — 9 p.m.
Aug. 16 — Semi finals — 9 p.m.
Aug. 23 — Finals — 9 p.m.
Judges include:
- John Riley — Owner of John's Computer service and two time finalist from season 1 and 2
- Christina Pearson —Top runner up from last season
- Eddie Santiago- Youth Development Director at the Staunton YMCA and two time finalist from season 1 and 2
This is the second "Voice Off" for Staunton, buttellAplay holds regular karaoke at three spots during theweek in Staunton — Clocktower,Redbeard Brewery and Pompei Lounge. Eight "Voice Off" competitions have been heldin Charlottesville in the past.
To sign up email aaron.tellaplay@gmail.com.
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Have a news tip?
You can reach reporter Laura Petersatlpeters@newsleader.com.Follow her@peterslaura.
