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 …

October 4, 2010

It feels good to share

Author: Greg Higgerson

One of my most favorite job-related duties involves spreading the word about Second Harvest Food Bank as a guest speaker at functions and meetings throughout Central Florida.   This morning I had the opportunity to do that once again. Like most of my talks, I was given a window of 10-15 minutes, and was told that my audience was interested in hearing about the importance of giving back to the community.

I arrived at the appointed time, and arranged my “props.” I had brought along 26 pieces of plastic toy food items to distribute among those in the room. I began by asking everyone to tell me what it feels like when they are really, really hungry. Some of the answers included “my stomach makes noises,” and “I just feel really tired.” Then I asked what kinds of food everyone likes to eat when they feel that way. I heard about a wide variety of tasty items like tomatoes, celery, French fries, Pineapple, Pizza, and others.   

Then we played a game. I asked everyone to imagine that they were very, very hungry. The audience closed their eyes, and many covered their stomachs with their arms.

I then handed out the toy food items, making sure to give at least two items to each one. Unfortunately, before everyone could get the food—it ran out. There wasn’t enough, and about half a dozen ended up with no food at all. I apologized for that, and then turned to those who had food in their hands. “OK—We’re all SO hungry. Now we’re going to have a party, and eat our food together—won’t that be fun?!” I asked.    But instead of smiles and cheers, I saw only concerned faces as they looked at those who were holding nothing in their hands.  

With no prompting from me, one of the audience members who held two pieces of food in her hands said to one of her friends  “Here, you can have one of mine…”    Immediately, others who held more than one piece began to stand up and share with those who had been left out of the process. They clearly weren’t prepared to celebrate or have any kind of party unless everyone could participate. What a concept. 

We could all learn a lesson, I think, from the five-year old students in Ms. Keri and Ms. Stacey’s Pre-Kindergarten class at Trinity Lutheran School in downtown Orlando. As you may have guessed, they were the audience to whom I was invited to speak this morning. Because my own son Colin was one of those who had been left without food during this exercise, I was particularly gratified that someone chose to share a plastic hot dog with him.   

As we talked about giving, and how the process of food donations works, I realized that I was really preaching to the choir. These youngsters knew instinctively what was the right thing to do. It just makes sense. When we have enough for ourselves, and our friends don’t have enough….it feels good to share.  It really does feel good, doesn’t it? 

Thank you to all in Central Florida who make that decision to share their food, and their money, and their precious time to help keep the food flowing for so many of our friends and neighbors!  

Greg Higgerson
Vice President, Development 

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

May 25, 2010

What to expect at Taste of the Nation Orlando

Author: Maria Diestro

Taste of the nation is almost here! 

We have 34 restaurants participating in Central Florida’s favorite foodie event this year. I bet some of your favorite Central Florida dining spots are on this list .

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation event is put together by a volunteer committee group. I attend the meetings as a representative of Second Harvest Food Bank. Both beneficiaries, Coalition for the Homeless and Second Harvest Food Bank help out with the planning of the event. If you are attending, make sure to stop by our tables.

To enable you to fully enjoy the endless supply of wine, beer and delicious cocktails, Orlando World Center Marriott is generously offering Taste of the Nation guests a discounted rate for rooms on the night of June 5th! Click here to take advantage of this fabulous deal. The code will show up automatically on the page.

Everyone has worked so hard these past few months bringing this event together. I can’t give away everything that we have planned … but I can give you a sneak peak of what to expect. 

Here is a small food preview: 

      -  Chef-carved Rosemary and Dijon Crusted Roasted Pork Loin Served with a Wild Mushroom 
          and Sun-Dried Tomato Pearl Barley Risotto
      -  Chef Jean-Louis’ Bananas Foster
      -  Greek Tuna Tataki in Lettuce Gyros with Sumac, Onions and Avocado Tzatziki
      -  Roasted Beet Brownies with Gorgonzola, Spicy Cashews & Vanilla Honey

We also have some very unique auction items this year. Don’t forget to make your way around the silent auction. You never know what you will find!

      -  New York Yankees 27 World Championships ticket replicas
      -  Tickets to the Rachael Ray taping in New York plus plane ticket
      -  A  trip Chicago: flight, hotel, and dining included
      -  Chefs tables from Taste of the Nation participating Restaurants
      -  Many more!

100% of ticket sales help ensure no kid in America grows up hungry.

Hope to see you at Taste of the Nation Orlando! If you want to find me … look for the person twittering, facebooking and taking photos.

Click here to buy tickets!

Maria Diestro
Online Services and Communications Manager

Don’t forget to check-in. I will be leaving tips throughout the night!

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