Craig residents got a taste of a lot of local cuisine Thursday night as well as the chance to meet people with a special organization.

The second annual Horizons Specialized Services Pick-a-Dish event at the Moffat County Fairgrounds Pavilion served numerous purposes. Feeding the hungry and raising funds were among the accomplishments Horizons Director Susan Mizen was pleased with, but more important to her was the mingling of Horizons clients with the community.

The nonprofit group, which works with those in Northwest Colorado with developmental disabilities to help them achieve independence, paired its clients with the staff of participating restaurants to help prepare and serve meals throughout the night, with those eating also casting votes monetarily for their favorite foods.

“Our hope is that they’ll make a connection, and the ultimate goal would be for them to find some kind of employment,” Mizen said.

Among those showing the best of their menus were Castle Ranch Steakhouse, Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant, Carelli’s Pizzeria & Pasta, Cool Water Grille, KS Kreations and Double Barrel Steakhouse.

Food went fast to the many people in attendance.

Horizons client Bobby Holmberg worked alongside Gino’s Neighborhood Pizzeria & Grill, serving pizza and pasta dishes made by Justin Bingham and Fernando Rojas.

Holmberg also worked with the staff of Gino’s during last year’s Pick-a-Dish.

“He really likes the pizza here,” Bingham said about Holmberg.

Elsewhere, at the Brother’s Custom Processing table, employee Jessica Sorensen and temporary partner Jason Latham provided specialty meats for patrons.

When asked if he was having a good time, Latham gave an enthusiastic, “Yeah!”

Sorensen said Latham’s energy made everybody who came by their stand smile.

“He’s just so much fun to work with,” Sorensen said. “I told him I was going to hire him when I catered.”

The whole purpose of an occasion like Pick-a-Dish is to demonstrate that developmental issues or not, those involved in Horizons are valued, contributing community members who can offer a lot to society, Mizen said.

“People in Horizons are no different than anyone else, and we’re all just here having a great time,” she said.

Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Education.