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Foodies who want a philanthropic bent to their tasting and drinking adventures can attend Taste of the Nation D.C., a local annual food-centric event that raises money to help end child hunger in the United States, next Monday, April 2, at the National Building Museum.
More than 80 restaurants, chefs and mixologists from the Washington, D.C. area will once again fill the spacious museum's first floor in the evening. Leading the city’s efforts this year is the new DC Chef Council comprising notable chefs: Victor Albisu, Scott Drewno of The Source, Graffiato's Mike Isabella, Nicholas Stefanelli of Bibiana, and Bryan Voltaggio of VOLT.
"Chefs are the backbone of what we do," Emily Byram, Share Our Strength's culinary relations director told Eater. Byram said the organization, which connects children struggling with hunger to nutritious food programs, wanted more chefs to be part of the planning process. Her planning committee then reached out to these popular toques who expressed more involvement with the event and, overall, the organization's goals.
Council members help plan and connect Taste of the Nation to their local network for sponsorships. One of the new features suggested by the chefs this year is a "people's choice dish," in which participants will vote for their favorite item by tipping. The venue who receives the most tips will be the winner. "It's another way to raise money for the cause and recognize particular restaurants," said Byram.
The benefit in the nation’s capital is among the numerous culinary-related fundraisers put together by Share Our Strength. All proceeds from the event will go to Capital Area Food Bank, D.C. Hunger Solutions and Mary’s Center. Proceeds will also fund No Kid Hungry, the group’s national campaign to end child hunger by 2015. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $73 million for not only U.S. anti-hunger organizations, but also in Canada and abroad.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased on the website. General admission costs $95 per person and starts at 7 p.m. VIP admission has a head start at 6 p.m. and costs $150. Tickets can be purchased on Taste of the Nation D.C.’s website.
Taste of the Nation 2011 [Photo: Share Our Strength/Flickr/Fitsum Belay]
