The fourth annual Food Tasting Festival will take place on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Stonegate Banquet and Conference Centre, 2401 W. Higgins Road. This year's event is being hosted by the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce, and will include delicious food from restaurants throughout the area, in addition to your favorite Hoffman Estates eateries.

Tate & Lyle returns as the event sponsor, and will challenge your palate by having you judge the cupcake competition between culinary students from Elgin Community College and Harper College. The students will be competing for scholarship money provided by Hoffman Estates-based Tate & Lyle, makers of Splenda sweetener. All attendees will vote for the tastiest cupcake, and the winner will be announced at the end of the festival.

Tickets are $25 in advance, and $35 at the door. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce, located at 2200 W. Higgins Road, Suite 201 (above the Hoffman Estates Community Bank), or online at www.hechamber.com.

For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 847-781-9100. Last year's event sold out in advance, so don't delay in buying your ticket!