Taste of the Nation 2013 – August 10th – End Childhood Hunger!

My favorite foodie event of the year is coming soon! Check out the below for a chance to win 2 tickets to this event on August 10!

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® Orlando returns Aug. 10 showcasing the talent and creativity of Central Florida’s leading chefs and restaurants in a culinary fundraising event to end childhood hunger.

Orlando World Center Marriott will host the 24th annual Taste of the Nation, an evening of exquisite appetizers, entrees and desserts from more than 30 of Central Florida’s finest chefs and restaurants complemented by silent and live auctions and live entertainment. Some of this year’s participating chefs and restaurants include:

• Cress Restaurant, Chef Hari Pulapaka
• K Restaurant & Wine Bar, Chef Kevin Fonzo
• Journey’s Catering, Chef Bram Fowler
• Orlando World Center Marriott, Chef Greg Picard
• Christner’s Del Frisco’s Prime Steak & Lobster

Tickets to the event are $150 per person, and all proceeds from sales support Share Our Strength’s efforts to eradicate childhood hunger in Central Florida by funding two local charities, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

“I am extremely grateful for the continued support of Taste of the Nation,” said Brent A. Trotter, president and CEO of Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. “The monies raised help us supply food, shelter and services to nearly 200 children and their families each night and serve over 300,000 nutritious meals every year. Buying a ticket to the event makes quite an impact, as just $50 provides a week of nutritious meals to 32 homeless children.”

Last year’s Taste of the Nation event drew more than 2,200 attendees and raised $249,000 for Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

“Not only is Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Orlando the premier event of its kind in Central Florida, but it’s helping to transform the lives of our most vulnerable kids as well,” said Dave Krepcho, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. “The funds help to ensure that more kids in need than ever before have healthy, nutritious food available to them.”

Lucille O’Neal, mother of NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal, will serve as honorary chair of this year’s Taste of the Nation Orlando. The longtime philanthropist, celebrated author and motivational speaker has a long history of addressing and supporting childhood nutrition and hunger relief efforts.

“As a mother of four adult children and 14 grandchildren, I have seen firsthand over the years the difference proper nutrition makes in the lives of our children,” O’Neal said. “Eating the right foods on a daily basis and receiving proper nourishment really helps to provide a foundation on which children can thrive physically and mentally. It is our obligation to ensure that we provide necessary essentials that ultimately will help their minds and bodies grow and reach their full potential.”

This year’s silent auction, presented by Neiman Marcus, invites guests to bid on luxury apparel and accessories, stays at upscale hotels, gift cards to the area’s top restaurants, rounds of golf on award-winning golf courses, and tickets to coveted sporting events. Featured auction items include:

• Neiman Marcus Selection of Jewelry, Timepieces and Handbags ($10,000 value)
• JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes – Dinner for 6 with Wine Pairings ($2,000 value)
• Hilton Grand Vacations Orlando – 4-Night Stay in a 2-Bedroom Suite ($1,676 value)
• Seasons 52 Chef’s Table Experience for up to 6 Guest ($1,000 value)
• Howl at the Moon Orlando Happy Hour Party for 100 – WOW ($1,000 value)
• Golf for 4 on Lake Nona Golf & Country Club’s Championship Golf Course ($900 value)

2013 TASTE OF THE NATION ORLANDO
WHEN: Saturday, August 10, 2013 6:45 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
WHERE: Orlando World Center Marriott 8701 World Center Dr., Orlando
TICKETS: $150 each
ATTIRE: Cocktail / Semi-Formal

ABOUT SHARE OUR STRENGHT’S TASTE OF THE NATION® ORLANDO
Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Orlando event brings together the area’s top chefs who donate their time, talent and passion to end childhood hunger in Central Florida. Along with culinary delights, guests have the opportunity to sample select wines, cocktails and premium beers and enjoy silent and live auctions and entertainment. Every dollar raised fights hunger and homelessness in the Central Florida. Local beneficiaries include Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

For more information:
Website: tasteofthenation.org/Orlando
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OrlandoTaste
Twitter: @OrlandoTaste

2013 Participating Restaurants:

4Rivers Smokehouse
Rosen Shingle Creek – A Land Remembered
American Culinary Federation
B.B.Kings Blues Club
Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine
Rosen Shingle Creek – Cala Bella Italian Bistro
The Capital Grille (Pointe Orlando and Mall at Millenia)
Cask & Larder/The Ravenous Pig
CFHLA Food & Beverage Council
Christners Prime Steak & Lobster
Crave
Cress Restaurant
Eddie V’s
Empress Sissi Bakery
FreshPoint
Journey’s Catering
JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes
K Restaurant and Wine Bar
Kobe Japanese Steakhouse
LongHorn Steakhouse
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
Marlow’s Tavern
Nestle Professional
Olive Garden
Orlando World Center Marriott
The Palm
Red Wing Restaurant
Dine with Shamu at SeaWorld Orlando
Sushi House Orlando
Taverna Opa
Florida Technical College
Three 2 OH Ice Cream
Universal Orlando
Uno Chicago Grille
Whole Foods Market

2013 Participating Beverage Suppliers:

Barefoot Wine & Bubbly
Brown Distributing
Cigar City Brewing
Coca Cola
Folgers
Nestle Water | San Pellegrino & Acqua Panna
Onli Beverage
Opici Wines
Orlando Brewing Company
Redlight Redlight Beer Parlour
Republic National Distributing Company
Straight Up Beverage Solutions
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Vibrant Rioja
Winter Park Distilling Company

2013 TASTE OF THE NATION GIVEAWAY CONTEST
– 2 TICKETS WORTH $300 TOTAL VALUE TO THE EVENT
– EVENT DATE: AUGUST 10 AT WORLD CENTER MARRIOTT ORLANDO

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DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY JULY 31, 2013 AT 5PM