Thank you for coming out this year! - April 17, 2013
At Taste of the Nation Charlotte, attendees enjoyed tastings from the area's top chefs, restaurants, and culinary schools and sample fine wines, beers, and premium spirits, including an entertaining Mixologist Bar. Guests also enjoyed live music and a silent and live auction, including unique dining and other experiences.
Taste of the Nation Charlotte was a great and fun event that truly made a difference!
Check it out! WBTV's Christine Nelson and the Toms (Chef Tom Dyrness and Tom Sasser) chat up the upcoming Taste of the Nation, scheduled at the Wells Fargo Center Atrium on April 17th!
Click here to view 2013 photos! Courtesy of Tonya Jameson from Darling Media Group
Charlotte's finest restaurants that have committed to ending childhood hunger in 2013!
- BLT Steak
- Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
- Cantina 1511
- Central Piedmont Community College
- Chima Brazilian Steakhouse
- e2 emeril's eatery
- Enso
- Electrolux Professional
- Gallery at Ballantyne Hotel
- Harper's Restaurant
- Johnson & Wales University
- Mama Ricotta's
- Mimosa Grill
- Napa on Providence
- Queen City Q
RAFFLE Info: Buy a Share Our Strength tote bag for a chance to win a pair of Estate David Yurman Sterling Silver & 14Kt Blue Topaz Earrings valued at $975. We are only selling 100 of these bags for $10 each! Don’t miss out! Raffle drawing will be after the Live Auction, at 8:45 PM
LIVE AUCTION teasers:
- Bring your friends to a fabulous customized wine dinner for 6-10 people at Upstream. Included is a 1-night stay in a King Whirlpool Room at the Hampton Inn Phillips Place so you can truly indulge. VALUE: $935
- Diamonds ARE a girl’s best friend! Treat yourself or someone special to a gorgeous Estate “Hearts on Fire” Diamond Pendant from Perry’s Jewelry. VALUE: $4,250
SILENT AUCTION teasers:
- ELECTROLUX PRO AT HOME KIT: Cook like your favorite chef with a set of appliances! Featuring four from Frigidaire Pro: Panini Press, Immersion Blender, Toaster Oven, & Slow Cooker. MARKET VALUE: $525
- MYRTLE BEACH GETAWAY: 2 night stay at Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center including a Subway “Beach Snack Pack”, 4 tickets each to Ripley’s Believe It or Not Aquarium & Ripley’s Museum, dinner gift card, 1 Hour Massage OR 2-30 minute massages. MARKET VALUE: $650
- FORE!: 2 Weekly Ticket Booklets for 2013 Quail Hollow Tournament, all 7 days. After a long week, treat yourself to $100 at the Gallery at Ballantyne Resort. MARKET VALUE: $380
And much, much more!
Click here to view 2013 photos! Courtesy of Tonya Jameson from Darling Media Group
Check it out! WBTV's Christine Nelson and the Toms (Chef Tom Dyrness and Tom Sasser) chat up the upcoming Taste of the Nation, scheduled at the Wells Fargo Center Atrium on April 17th!
2013 Sponsors
If you are interested in locally sponsoring Taste of the Nation Charlotte, please contact Cathy Baker
Taste of the Nation is Nationally Sponsored By:
- American Express
- Sysco
- Food Network
- Cavit Collection Wines
Taste of the Nation is Locally Sponsored By:
LOCAL HOST
- Wells Fargo
- Two Wells Fargo Center Atrium
DIAMOND SPONSOR
- U.S. Foodservice
AUCTION HOST
- Piedmont Natural Gas
VIP LOUNGE SPONSORS
- Johnson & Wales University - Presenting Sponsor
- Franciscan Estate
- Girard
- Napa Cellars
- Oyster Bay
- Sonoma-Cutrer
- WoodBridge by Robert Mondavi
- Sterling By Design
- Party Reflections
- Paschal Promotions
- Signature Events Studio
ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR
- EastCoast Entertainment
GOLD SPONSOR
- Mutual Distributing Company
SILVER SPONSORS
- ALSCO
- Charlotte Center City Partners
- Harper’s Restaurant Group
- Republic Beverage Company
- Sterling By Design
BRONZE SPONSORS
- Adams Beverages
- Bojangles
- Charlotte Hospitality & Tourism Alliance
- Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
- Compass Group, North America
- Custom Lettering & Design
- HMS Host
- NCRLA-Charlotte Chapter
- Nestle Waters
- Party Reflections
- YELP
RESTAURANT SPONSORS
- ACN Global Reach Charities, Inc.
- Axis Marketing/CLT Dining
- Counter Culture Coffee
- Elite Culinary Concepts
- Marriott City Center & Savannah Red
- Mini Mac Storage Center
- Windermere Ins. Group, Inc.
- Oliff & Berridge, PLC
- Paschal Promotions
- Schumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
- ShutterBooth
- Show Pros
- Signature Events Studio
- Snyder's Lance
FAMILY SPONSOR
- Gage Benefit Advisors
- Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson
- Zippy Ice Company
RADIO SPONSOR
- K104.7 FM
EMCEES
- Todd Baker, Morning Show Host K104.7 FM
- Natalie Pasquarella, News Anchor/Reporter WSOC-TV
BEST OF AWARDS SPONSOR\
- American Culinary Federation
LIVE AUCTIONEER
- Mr. Ernest Perry, Perry’s of South Park
OFFICIAL PRINTER
- Technocom USA
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER
- Darling Media Group
OFFICIAL FLORIST
- Carolyn Shepard Design Group
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina provides food annually through its network of partner agencies in 16 counties of North and South Carolina. Other programs provided include Kids Cafe, feeding children who come to school hungry every day and the Second Harvest BackPack Program, which provides backpacks full of food for children at risk of hunger on the weekends. Plus the Mobile Pantry Program to deliver truckloads of food directly to rural areas of our region.
Community Culinary School of Charlotte
The Community Culinary School of Charlotte (CCSC) provides training in the food service industry for the unemployed and underemployed who have experienced previous barriers to gainful employment. "We're fighting hunger while creating opportunity".
Best of Charlotte sponsored by American Culinary Federation.
Best Cold Dish:
 |  |
| Mama Ricotta's - Parmesan crisp with fresh mozarella & speck (smoked prosciutto), extra virgin olive oil and micro basil | Gallery Restaurant (Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge) - Arnold Palmer tea cake |
Best Hot Dish:
 |  |
| Savannah Red - Bacon lacquered cobia with collard greens, red mousseline and agar berry garnish | Cantina 1511 - Braised petite pork shank with zesty slaw and tomatillo avocado sauce |
Best Table Display:
 |  |
| Harper's Restaurant | Johnson & Wales University |
A big thank you to our Auction Host Piedmont Natural Gas and the following donors for their support. You don't miss items from these top Queen City companies!
- Harper's Restaurant Group
- Johnson & Wales University
- Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
- Charlotte Custom Couture
- Modern Salon & Spa
- Charlotte Knights
- Charlotte Checkers
- Carolina Panthers
- Cowfish
- Y2 Yoga
- Pretty Postures
- Metro Fitness
- Diamond's Direct
- Wine & Design
- NASCAR Hall of Fame
- Perry's
- Chef Ron
- Meow & Fetch
- S&D Coffee
- Whole Foods
- Savannah Red's
- Brewer's Ball
- Hampton Inn & Suites Phillips Place
- Earth Fare
- America's Cuisine
- Piedmont Natural Gas
- Peninsula Yacht Club
- It's My Affair
- Painting with a Twist
We are happy to answer any questions regarding event details, media requests, restaurant participation, sponsorship, auction item donations and volunteer options. Thank you!
Event Chairs
Cathy Baker
Phone:1-800-710-9837
PR/Marketing Chair
Jackie Corbett
Phone: 704-334-6134
