Thursday, December 15, 2011

Frederick County Diabetes Coalition Announces Restaurant Challenge Winner


The Frederick County Diabetes Coalition is pleased to announce that La Paz Mexican Restaurant is the winner of this year’s Frederick Restaurant Challenge. The Challenge was coordinated by the Frederick County Diabetes Coalition and held in November to coincide with American Diabetes Month. The Challenge featured ten restaurants who agreed to offer a healthy meal option for people with diabetes (or for anyone wishing to eat healthier). During the month of November, nearly 250 diners chose and rated the healthy meal offered by these restaurants. An average rating was calculated for each restaurant who received at least 15 votes. La Paz edged out the competition and received a plaque, donated by Trophies Unlimited, to recognize their achievement.

New this year, a prize was also awarded to the participating restaurant who sold the greatest number of healthy meals. The winner for this category is Acacia; they had 84 diners order and submit a vote for their healthy meal. Acacia received a gift certificate for a massage donated by the YMCA of Frederick County.

Angela Blair, Chairperson for the coalition states, “On behalf of the coalition, I wish to commend all ten restaurants for participating and for demonstrating that healthy meals taste delicious! We also want to recognize the restaurant patrons who tried the healthy meals and voted. Their positive feedback and interest creates the demand for restaurants to offer healthy meal options as part of their standard menu. This is the ultimate goal of the Challenge.”

Ten restaurants elected to participate in this year’s event: Acacia, Asian Bistro, Brewer’s Alley, Firestone’s Culinary Tavern, La Paz, Mariachi Restaurant, Mexicali Cantina, Subway (69 S. Market St.), Subway (913 W. 7th St.), and Wegmans.