21st Annual Share our Strength “Taste of the Nation” in Culver City on June 14, 09 (Info/Tickets)
2009 TASTE OF THE NATION RETURNS TO CULVER CITY
21st Annual Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® Los Angeles,
Presented by American Express ®, to Take Place on Sunday, June 14th
CULVER CITY, CA. May 26, 2009 – With flavorful food and a passion for helping hungry children, Los Angeles’ hottest chefs and restaurants will gather for Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation, presented by American Express. Taste of the Nation Los Angeles will raise the critical funds needed to support the national organization’s efforts to end childhood hunger in Los Angeles and across America. This year’s event, themed “Sunday at the Park”, will take place on June 14th at Culver City’s Media Park, from 1p to 4p.
More than 45 of the city’s finest restaurants and mixologists will participate in the gastronomic event. Led by Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger of Border Grill and Ciudad, participating restaurants include SLS Bazaar and Hotel, Tiara Café, Ford’s Filling Station, Locanda Del Lago, Fig, Akasha, Angeli Café, Animal, Bar Marmont, Beso, BLT Steak, Bluebird Café, Botte Rock, Café Pinot, Church & State, Comme Ca, Craft LA, Fraiche/Riva, Gelato Bar, Grace/BLD, Jar, Joe’s Restaurant/Bar Pintxo, Katsuya, K-Zo, Loteria Grill, Lucques/AOC, M Café/Chaya Brasserie, Melisse, Mozza, Nobu, One Restaurants (STK & One), Palate Food + Wine, Rivera, Simon LA, Sunset Restaurant, Street, Table 8/8 Oz., The Bowery/Delancey, The Foundry on Melrose, Venice Beach Wines, Westside Tavern, Wilshire and XIV. Guests will enjoy the city’s best cuisine paired with a myriad of wines and other offerings. The afternoon will also feature on stage cooking demonstrations, a “Mole Cookoff” hosted by food critic Jonathan Gold, an enriched VIP experience and auctions.
“As chefs, it is unbearable to imagine children right here in L.A. County unable to get the food and nourishment they need to learn, grow and thrive,” said Mary Sue Milliken. “Taste of the Nation brings together L.A.’s brightest culinary stars to ensure no kid goes hungry on our watch.”
According to the L.A. County Children’s Planning Council, 25%, or 1 out of every 4, children in L.A. County 17 years and under are living in poverty (640,000). Furthermore, over 4,000 children 5 years old and under are homeless on any given night. If they are living in poverty or homeless, they are going hungry.
The area charities that will benefit from this year’s event include the California Association of Food Banks, California Food Policy Advocates, Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger & Homelessness, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and St. Joseph Center. This year, guests can meet the recipients in the Hunger Message booth sponsored by Luxury Life & Style Magazine.
Since its inception 21 years ago, Taste of the Nation has granted $1.4 million to Los Angeles charities and raised more than $70 million for organizations in the United States, Canada and abroad. Taste of the Nation events promote awareness of Share Our Strength’s efforts across the nation. The funds raised through Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation support the most effective organizations that feed hungry children, as well as advocates that are pursuing long-term solutions to the challenge of hunger, both locally and nationally.
Generous support from local sponsors Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, California Olive Ranch, Divine Pasta Company, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, 100.3 The Sound; presenting sponsor American Express: national sponsors SYSCO Corporation and Food Network, Brown-Forman, S. Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, and the National Pork Board ensures that 100 percent of ticket proceeds go to Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger in America. The enhanced VIP experience, sponsored by L.A. Confidential Magazine, will include food by Moonshadows and Xooro; coffee by LA Mill; massage therapists by Spa Promotions and a Spy On Vegas mixologist.
Tickets for Taste of the Nation Los Angeles are $115 General Admission in advance, $125 for General Admission on the day and $175 for VIP and can be purchased by calling 1-877-26-Taste or visiting www.tasteofthenationla.org.
About Share Our Strength®
Share Our Strength is a national organization working to make sure no kid in America grows up hungry. We weave together a net of community groups, activists and food programs to catch children at risk of hunger, and surround them with nutritious food where they live, learn and play. We work with the culinary industry to create engaging, pioneering programs like Taste of the Nation, Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale®, Share Our Strength’s Operation Frontline® and Share Our Strength’s A Tasteful Pursuit®. For more information, please visit