This year’s Taste of Falls Church judges talked to the News-Press about their food favorites, cooking prowess (or lack thereof), and preparations for the big event

Toni Jones

Superintendent, Falls Church City Public Schools

1. What will you do to prepare for Taste of Falls Church?

I am going to work really hard this week with our first few days of school so that I will be hungry!

2. Be honest – what’s the last thing you ate before answering these questions?

A cold hamburger patty.

3. Food lore has it that tastes change every seven years. What food have you grown to love or grown to hate?

I have grown to love Breyer’s Low Carb ice cream.

4. What’s your favorite festive libation?

I love Diet Coke floats.

5. Who’s the chef in your home?

I think it’s me, but my family doesn’t agree.

6. What’s been your biggest kitchen disaster?

Burning everything because I wanted it to cook faster.

7. What’s your go-to grocery store?

Giant or Trader Joe’s.

8. Rare, medium, or well done?

Medium rare.

9. Coffee or tea?

Tea.

10. Considering that the City of Falls Church now boasts four frozen yogurt shops, how do you like your frozen yogurt?

Plain vanilla.

Rob Meeks

City of Falls Church Planning Commissioner

1. What will you do to prepare for Taste of Falls Church?

Preparation, discipline and training. I don’t really know what that means but I love sports clichés.

2. Be honest – what’s the last thing you ate before answering these questions?

These answers take an enormous amount of time and energy, several days of painstaking labor. This tapestry of humor and pathos does not just happen. I want my answers to make you laugh and cry. This is my one shot at fame. And, I ate a peach. It is that time of year.

3. Food lore has it that tastes change every seven years. What food have you grown to love or grown to hate?

Really? Every seven years? I like all the same food I did when I was 14. Is there something wrong with me? Should I see a doctor? This is terrible. Do you think surgery can fix this?

5. Who’s the chef in your home?

I think everyone in my home has more confidence in the dog’s cooking than mine. I will say Rocket does whip up a beautiful Eggs Benedict.

7. What’s your go-to grocery store?

7-11.

8. Rare, medium, or well done?

Some people have seen me driving around town in my souped up cherry red Nissan Leaf with the bumper sticker: “Caution, contents hot inside.” Need I say more?

9. Coffee or tea?

Tea plays a less than critical role in my critical coffee, water, wine, beer, ice cream balance.

10. Considering that the City of Falls Church now boasts four frozen yogurt shops, how do you like your frozen yogurt?

I know that I speak for many people when I say “welcome” frozen yogurt people. Personally I am looking forward to whichever shop has the best extreme yogurt contest. Yogurt by the pound can get expensive, but I believe in shopping local.

Leslie Poster

News Editor, FCNP

1. What will you do to prepare for Taste of Falls Church?

Brag incessantly about having the sweetest Saturday plans.

2. Be honest – what’s the last thing you ate before answering these questions?

In my defense it was a late night in the newsroom, but yeah, I got home and ate some room-temperature chicken alfredo.

3. Food lore has it that tastes change every seven years. What food have you grown to love or grown to hate?

My little sister drinks Mountain Dew like I drink coffee. I took a sip of hers recently and realized that it does not taste so good to me anymore. Also, it’s neon green. That’s just not natural!

4. What’s your favorite festive libation?

I wish I had a beeper that went off every time Orange Whip is tapped.

5. Who’s the chef in your home?

Oh, it’s definitely me. My husband is currently banned from the kitchen because my cookware doesn’t like him. I tried to plead his case, but the skillets had the final say.

6. What’s been your biggest kitchen disaster?

I started a little grease fire in my oven making bacon-wrapped dates a year or so ago. And I started a little microwave fire by trying to defrost frozen bread and not removing the metal twist-tie when I was in middle school. But I have all 10 fingers and both eyebrows, so I can’t complain.

7. What’s your go-to grocery store?

I’m pretty spoiled by Giant’s grocery delivery. But I’ve just discovered Trader Joe’s and that’s been a game-changer.

8. Rare, medium, or well done?

Rare, a pick made to satisfy both my tastes and my impatience.

9. Coffee or tea?

Iced coffee. All the iced coffee.

10. Considering that the City of Falls Church now boasts four frozen yogurt shops, how do you like your frozen yogurt?

I’m a purist – plain yogurt, nuts, and berries.

Joan Wodiska

Member, Virginia State Board of Education

1. What will you do to prepare for Taste of Falls Church?

I’ll start the day with a three-mile walk, coffee, and homemade croissants. Then I’ll put on my favorite maxi dress that hides everything!

2. Be honest – what’s the last thing you ate before answering these questions?

A light bedtime snack: a half pint of chocolate Häagen-Dazs ice cream with a handful of Cheerios that my son left on the table, a cup of decaf coffee, washed down by a chicken leg smothered in tomatillo salsa.

3. Food lore has it that tastes change every seven years. What food have you grown to love or grown to hate?

In the last several years, I developed an allergy to walnuts and some nuts, which briefly took the fun out of food. But thanks to better food labeling and thoughtful kitchens, my love of food is even stronger. As a result of my allergy, I have become a more aware and educated advocate for policies that protect children and adults with special dietary needs or allergies in our nation’s schools.

4. What’s your favorite festive libation?

Depending on my mood: a dirty pink martini, light on the alcohol, heavy on the olives; anything with an umbrella, fruit, and the smell of suntan lotion; an icy cold craft beer; or a Virginia wine.

5. Who’s the chef in your home?

It’s a flinty team: me, myself, and I. My husband can make eggs, a turkey sandwich, and was recently taught by the six year old to boil water.

6. What’s been your biggest kitchen disaster?

A four letter word best describes my biggest disaster: While cooking up a batch of dry-rubbed, thick-cut pork chops, I accidentally – how should I say this – set my parent’s house on fire. My dad ended up in the hospital. The neighbors were evacuated. Flames shot up about 50-60 feet into the sky. Four fire trucks appeared. Worst of all, my awesome cooking skills were the lead story on the evening news.

7. What’s your go-to grocery store?

Safeway, BJ’s, Trader Joe’s and, of course, the Falls Church City Farmer’s Market! I am addicted to the online coupons and gas-points at Safeway! It’s like winning the lottery at the gas pump!

8. Rare, medium, or well done?

Dead, red, and grain fed is strongly preferred.

9. Coffee or tea?

Decaf coffee with chocolate soy milk is a morning staple.

10. Considering that the City of Falls Church now boasts four frozen yogurt shops, how do you like your frozen yogurt?

Was I supposed to eat the yogurt? I am a toppings junkie, and am working to perfect my stacking techniques. For me, the yogurt is a merely a lubricant.

Nader Baroukh

City of Falls Church Mayor

1. What will you do to prepare for Taste of Falls Church?

What I normally do, refrain from eating for as long as possible before the event, which is hard, and bring a healthy appetite. With a new baby, if I get any sleep, I may even go on a bike ride before the event.

2. Be honest – what’s the last thing you ate before answering these questions?

A salad with chicken, fruit, and yogurt.

3. Food lore has it that tastes change every seven years. What food have you grown to love or grown to hate?

I still love dried fruits and energy bars. And coffee, of course. I am growing to dislike fried foods.

4. What’s your favorite festive libation?

A milkshake made with half coffee and half chocolate ice cream, with fresh strawberries and bananas. Milkshakes make everything better. I just love it!

5. Who’s the chef in your home?

My wife, Bernadette. No one wants my cooking, but I can make scrambled eggs in a pinch.

6. What’s been your biggest kitchen disaster?

Being in the kitchen when my mom is cooking.

7. What’s your go-to grocery store?

The City of Falls Church Farmers’ Market.

8. Rare, medium, or well done?

Medium rare.

9. Coffee or tea?

Anything caffeinated these days.

10. Considering that the City of Falls Church now boasts four frozen yogurt shops, how do you like your frozen yogurt?

Love it! Through my numerous trips I have learned, you have to put toppings on the bottom, then the frozen yogurt, and finally toppings on top. Delicious!