December 5, 2011

Panera and Philips Phile program Team Up to Fight Hunger

Author: Greg Higgerson

Panera Bread and the Philips Phile radio program on Real Radio 104.1 are combining efforts and asking customers and listeners to dig deep this holiday season for a great cause. Panera announces that it will add the support of its ‘Operation Dough-Nation’ effort to veteran radio host Jim Philips’ annual ‘Make Jim Pay Challenge’ in an effort to help provide more food for struggling families across the community.

A contribution goal of $25,000 has been set by Panera Bread and the Philips Phile team this year. Listeners to the Phile program will be encouraged to visit their local Panera Bread bakery-cafe to give, as well as to visit the Second Harvest Food Bank website to give online at http://www.feedhopenow.org. For its part, Panera Bread will be collecting funds in special ‘Operation Dough-Nation’ boxes at each restaurant location in Central Florida in December and January, and the company plans to match customer donations dollar for dollar. Read More …

July 27, 2011

It’s so close. I can “Taste” it!

Author: Sasha Hausman

Food! Glorious food! That is the only thing on my mind now that the Taste of the Nation Orlando countdown has begun.

Are you getting as excited as I am?? I just wanted to give you a quick preview of what to expect at this year’s 22nd annual Taste of the Nation Orlando. I could go into detail about all the wonderful things going on, but then it would be more of a novel than a blog. So I will just highlight the basics and I will let you explore the rest on Saturday, August 6th.

Food & Drinks
Where do I even begin?? We can start with this helpful link of all the restaurants and drink providers that will be at Taste.

I would use the event to take advantage of trying new restaurants that you have never been to before. I can already see a couple new ones that I have my eye on! Remember to pace yourself.

There are 36 food providers and 12 drink providers. Will you try them all?

  Read More …

June 15, 2010

Taste of the Nation Rolls On

Author: Maria Diestro

Michele Byington is one of the co-chairs of Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Orlando event. We recently asked her to write about her experience and what Taste of the Nation means to her.

When I first saw the statement NO KID HUNGRY, I could have pictured it being said by a smiling pageant contestant in a similar fashion to wishing for world peace. After indoctrinating me into the information & data supplied by Share Our Strength, an organization focused on ending childhood hunger, I’ve now realized the goal is overwhelming.

Founded 25 years ago by a dynamic brother & sister duo, Share Our Strength reaches out to provide funding via grants, education and access to programs for those in need. After personally attending many galas & fundraising dinners for all kinds of charitable organizations I realized that I couldn’t gain the passion necessary to really help. Then along came Taste of the Nation.

With 17 Million children facing the insecurity of not knowing where their next meal may be, I finally felt the tug and the passion to help. Funding and finding basic needs for people should be easy but hearing that kids are hungry and that families make decision to pay the mortgage or groceries is frightening.

It also helped that I received a tap on my shoulder from a family friend, Brent Trotter, President & CEO at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. This tap was asking me to help chair the Taste event locally in Central Florida. It was certainly scary to take on the task of an event that was approaching it’s 21st year in existence while continuing to do my own job as a Private Banker with Regions Bank.

Our Central Florida has one of the longest running Taste events and continues to build alliances between our community partners, sponsors, patrons & the dedicated chefs with a common goal to raise money to help with the children in our own neighborhoods. This year’s event was another success due to the commitment from dedicated committee volunteers serving with me to orchestrate the event details, while mindful to the mission at hand to help the kids in need and risk of food insecurity.

We are also blessed to work with two amazing local beneficiaries: Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

The event has long been supported by Darden Restaurants through sponsorships, patrons, decor and fabulous food. Darden was joined this year by Orlando World Center Marriott who graciously hosted the event with an amazing display of hospitality. Other corporate sponsors included Disney, AirTran Airways, Regions Bank, Hilton Grand Vacations, Randy E. Schimmelpfennig, Jeanie C Linders Fund, AT&T, Orlando Regional Healthcare, Universal Nissan, KPMG, Massey Communications, BrightHouse Networks, Fields BMW/Minicooper and Rosen Hotels & Resorts.

The crowd of nearly 2,000 were entertained by a local band 3 Bucksworth, theatrics of 2nd Nature Productions and the culinary talents of Central Florida’s best and brightest chefs. As the amazing night closed out our committee could feel very proud of their efforts as the event in total raised $156,000 which will add to the $1.6 million raised over the previous 20 years to support the basic essentials in our community.

Due to economic climate resulting from the “great recession” the needs have increased and for the first time at Second Harvest those that had willingly given in prior years were applying for assistance. Our committee members were given a framed quote reminder to thank them for their help and support. The quote: Nobody can do everything but everyone can do something ~Author Unknown.

If you’ve got something to give to help end childhood hunger we need you on the committee for 2011!

Michele Byington, CFP®
Vice President
Regions Bank

April 13, 2010

5 Tips to Surviving Taste of the Nation Orlando

Author: Maria Diestro

Can you believe Taste of the Nation Orlando is almost here? It feels like just yesterday I was helping with setting up our food display at last year’s event.

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation is the nation’s premier culinary benefit dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America.

All proceeds locally benefit Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida; state wide beneficiary is Florida Impact.

Imagine yourself in a room full of food catered by some of your favorite restaurant chefs. Just in … five of the Taste chefs will have the great honor of cooking at the James Beard House in June!

• Jamie McFadden of Cuisiniers Catering
• Kevin Fonzo of K Restaurant & Wine Bar
• James & Julie Petrakis of The Ravenous Pig
• Scott Copeland of Antonio’s Cafe & Deli. 

This is a small glimpse of some of the amazing talent that help put this event together. View a list of all participating restaurants.

So go ahead and make a big mark around Saturday, June 5 on your calendars. The 21st Annual Taste of the Nation Orlando will take place at the Orlando Marriott World Center on 8701 World Center Drive.

Last year was my first Taste of the Nation experience. It can be a bit overwhelming to see all the different tables of food and trying to decide on which auction item to bid on. Did you know that last year there were over 200 auction items?

Here are 5 tips to surviving Taste of the Nation Orlando

1) Get there early and beat the rush. 

2) Bring cash for raffle items. Last year we raffled of some pretty cool prizes and trips.

3) Take time to look through all the auction items. You will be surprised to find some very affordable hidden gems in there. Also, there are always very unique opportunities that you will only find at Taste of the Nation.     

4) Take a moment to stop by the beneficiaries displays. Learn more about what this whole event is really about!

5) Take advantage of the VIP package. You enjoy early admission, reserved seating, a champagne reception and a goody bag. That’s not bad for $50 more.  

If you are a Taste of the Nation Veteran, feel free to post any additional tips below!

See you at Taste of the Nation,

Maria Diestro
Online Services and Communications Manager

September 3, 2009

Taste of the Nation – Orlando Photos

Author: Maria Diestro

Taste of the Nation Orlando celebrated its 20 year anniversary last Saturday at the Orange County Convention Center. It was incredible! 2,000 people came out to the Valencia Ballroom to taste Orlando’s finest cuisine.

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® is the nation’s premier culinary benefit dedicated to making sure no kid in America grows up hungry. We are proud and honored to be one of the beneficiaries of this amazing event.

Over 30 of Central Florida’s leading restaurants came out in full force. Not only did everything taste great, but it looked beautiful too. There was live music by local band Crash Reality, a silent auction, and even a chance to make your own music video! I know I had a great time, and I think it’s pretty safe to say that no one left that night without a full stomach and a smile on their face!

Over $145,000 was raised through ticket sales, raffles and the silent auction, which will go towards fighting childhood hunger. Proceeds locally benefit Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida; state wide beneficiaries include Florida Impact and the North Florida Educational Development Corporation. 

Thank you to everyone who came out to the event. We are already thinking about next year when Taste of the Nation Orlando turns 21! Enjoy the pictures.

 

Taste of the Nation Review:
Taste of the Nation a big, tasty success from Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide