Taste of the Nation's 20th Anniversary
On Saturday, May 17, 2008, Share Our Strength® marks the 20th anniversary of Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation presented by American Express®. Applauded as the first-ever culinary benefit in the nation and a model for successful fundraisers throughout the country, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $70 million over the last 20 years, and united thousands of chefs from across the United States and Canada in the fight against childhood hunger.
The 20th season kicked off this spring with several cities hosting anniversary celebrations. These included Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Omaha, New York City, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., Wilmington, Del. and Worcester, Mass. Anniversary celebrations are scheduled in Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Hartford, Los Angeles, Manchester, N.H., Miami, Portland, Ore. and Seattle this summer, featuring the 20th anniversary spokespeople—nationally-renowned chefs who have supported Taste of the Nation since its inception.
David Burke, one of the pioneers of American cuisine and this year’s national spokesperson, will prepare tastings for guests at Taste of the Nation Las Vegas on June 4 and at Taste of the Nation Chicago on August 4. National television personality and cookbook author Mary Sue Milliken will serve as the honorary chair at Taste of the Nation Los Angeles on June 1, and R.J. Cooper, III, 2007 James Beard Recipient and executive chef of the award-winning Washington, D.C. restaurant Vidalia, will take his culinary talents to Denver on June 1, serving as the event’s honorary chef chair. On June 2, Cooper will participate in Taste of the Nation Philadelphia.
Other chefs participating in events this year are Frank Brigtsen of Brigtsen’s in New Orleans; Floyd Cardoz of Tabla in New York City; Traci Des Jardins of Jardinière and Acme Chop House in San Francisco; Pano I Karatassos of Kyma and Buckhead Life Restaurant Group in Atlanta; Stephen Pyles of Stephan Pyles Restaurant in Dallas; and Allen Susser of Chef Allen’s in Miami.
One hundred percent of ticket sales help ensure no kid in America grows up hungry. To purchase tickets or for more information visit, tasteofthenation.org or call 1.877.26TASTE.
