- BB King's Blues Club Orlando
- Bahama Breeze
- Beard Papa's
- Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa
- Cafe Tu Tu Tango
- The Capital Grille
- City Fire American Oven & Bar
- Crave
- Cress Restaurant
- Cuisinier’s Catered Cuisine & Events
- Cusano's Bakery
- Dine with Shamu by SeaWorld Orlando
- Emeril’s Tchoup Chop
- Empress Sissi
- FreshPoint
- JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes
- K Restaurant & Wine Bar
- Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
- LongHorn Steakhouse
- Nestle Professional
- Olive Garden
- Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
- Orlando World Center Marriott
- The Ravenous Pig
- Red Wing Restaurant
- Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
- Rosen Shingle Creek Resort: A Land Remembered
- Rosen Shingle Creek Resort: Cala Bella Italian Bistro
- Royal Plaza
- Sanaa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Technical Education Center, Osceola County
- Three2OH Ice Cream
- Uno Chicago Grill
- The Vineyard Wine Company
- Whole Foods Market
- Windermere Country Club
Join us at the 23rd Annual Taste of the Nation Orlando!
Guests will sample delectable specialties and culinary sensations prepared by chefs from Central Florida's leading restaurants. Showcasing their talent and creativity, the combination of presentation and taste are sure to make the evening unforgettable.
17 million - that's 1 in 4 - American children struggle with hunger. 637,000 of these children live in Florida. Many of them live right down the street. GET INVOLVED 100% of Taste of the Nation ticket sales benefit Share Our Strength's efforts to end childhood hunger.
Getaways
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| Arizona Biltmore Spa Three Day/Two Night Stay ($1,100 Value) | Caribe Royal Two Night Stay |
- Casa Monica Hotel, One Night Stay
- Chalet Suzanne, One Night Stay
- Colony Hotel & Cabana Club, Pet Package
- The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa - Gift Certificate for a one night stay and dinner for two at Gibraltar restaurant
- Night Swan Intracoastal Bed & Breakfast, One Night Stay
- Odyssey Creative - Delta sky miles for two round trip tickets anywhere in the continental U.S.
- Omni Champions Gate, Two Night Deluxe Stay
- Progressive Communications - 4 Days, 3 nights at Casa Del Sol in Tavernier, Florida Keys
- Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers - Complimentary Two Night Stay
- Starwood Vacation Ownership - 5 day/4 Night stay at the Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort, Cancun, Mexico
- The Florida Hotel & Conference Center, Deluxe Two Night Stay
- Tradewinds Resort, Three Day/Two Night Stay
- Westgate Resorts, Orlando - 3 day/2 night stay in a two bedroom villa at ANY Westgate Resort
Sports
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| Night Out With the Orlando Magic's Superfan The Fat Guy | Orange County National Golf Center (Two) Rewards Cards and Green Fees |
- Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge - Greens Fees For Four
- UF - Two Tickets for the Florida vs. Georgia Volleyball Match
- Tuscawilla Country Club - 60 Day Membership
- An Autographed Copy of Tim Tebow's Book
- Bill Long's Fishing Guide & Lake Tour Service - Full-day bass fishing trip in Orlando area lakes
- Florida Citrus Sports Foundation - Four Champs Sports Bowl tickets, and an autographed 2010 Champs Sports Bowl Football.
- Jacksonville Jaguars - Polo shirt
- Matt Harrison - Autographed Dwight Howard photograph
- Miami Dolphins - Pennant signed by Rodrique Wright
- Mounted Memories - Beatles Framed Collage
- Mounted Memories - Yankees Framed 27-time replica ticket collage
- Mounted Memories - Florida Gators Framed 5 photo collage
- Mounted Memories - Golden Classic Orlando Magic logo basketball case with nameplate
- Orange County Commissioner Fred Brummer - 16 +- seats in the County's Founder Box F for an Orlando Magic Game
- Orlando Magic - Autographed J.J. Redick basketball
- Tampa Bay Rays - Autographed Wade Davis Baseball
- Tiger Woods - Tiger Woods signed pin flag from Tiger's 1st Masters win
- Tiger Woods - Tiger Woods 16"X20" Upper Deck High Gloss replica signature poster
Food & Beverage
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| Orlando World Center Marriott Dinner for Six in the Chef's Office ($700 Value) | The Ravenous Pig Four Course Chef's Tasting for Two With Wine ($150 Value) |
- Beard Papas Sweet Cafe© Croquembouch, creampuff tower
- Beard Papas Sweet Cafe© Children's Birthday Party Package for the birthday girl or boy plus 5 more guests.
- BRAVO! Cucina Italiana Four course dinner in BRAVO's private room
- Brio Tuscan Grill four course dinner for eight.
- Brio Tuscan Grill $25 Gift Certificate
- Chamberlin's Natural Foods Gift Basket with Italian food items (pasta, sauce, olive oil, pasta spoon, bread sticks, etc.)
- Clint Properties Vista Hills Wine Basket
- Dixie Crossroads $20 gift certificate
- Ethos Vegan Kitchen $25 Gift Certificate
- Four Rivers BBQ Gift basket and dinner for two certificates
- Fulton's Crab House $100.00 Dining letter or card.
- Grand Bohemian Orlando Two tickets to Sunday Jazz Brunch
- Healthy Chef Creations $100 gift certificate
- HUE Restaurant Dinner for 6 prepared by Chef Edward in your home.
- Kres Chophouse Luncheon for four guests with Bob Opsahl.
- Luma on Park $100 Gift Certificate
- Meeker Merlot Bottle of 2005 Meeker's Merlot "Winemakers Handprint"
- NYPD Pizza (2) $25 Gift Certificates
- Orlando World Center Marriott Dinner for up to 6 people in the chef's office at the Orlando World Center Marriott.
- Portobello $100 Gift Certificate
- Republic National Distributing Company Magnum of Swanson Merlot, 2005 Merlot, Oakville, Napa Valley
- Romero Britto Magnum of Perrier Jouet Champagne decorated by the artist Romero Britto
- The Ravenous Pig 4 course chef's tasting for 2 people with wine pairings.
- The Tap Room at Dubsdread $50 Gift Certificate for Dinner for Two (2).
- Wolfgang Puck $100 Gift Certificate
Services
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| Raymond Merten Photography Gift Certificate ($1,200 Value) | Cason Portrait Studio Leu Gardens Session ($650 Value) |
- At Your Service- Personal Concierge Services 'Relax' gift basket
- Christopher Yates Fine Portraits (1) $300 portrait gift certificate
- Euro Day Spa & Salon "It's a Wrap" Package: includes a 45 minute massage and recipient's choice of either a salt glow or a brown sugar scrub.
- Happy Hula Hoops Custom Hula Hoop with 3 lessons
- Jessica Rozek Photography Outdoor photo session (up to 90 minutes) within Central Florida. Session will include a disk of all images.
- Maile Image Modeling & Acting School $100 gift certificate towards any image, modeling, or acting program
- Massage Envy, Altamonte Springs Massage Package
- Orlando Harley-Davidson One Basic rider education course
- PSG Construction Remodeling custom home feasibility study on a construction project, single family custom home
- Sikes PC Repair Three hours of on-site residential or corporate computer service.
Gifts
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| Bag 'n Baggage Gift Certificate ($100 Value) | Autographed Copy of Dean Koontz's Book "Odd Hours" ($60 Value) |
- AT&T Corporate LG Phoenix phone ($379.99) and Motorola Oasis Blue tooth ($79.99)
- Bob Newhart Bob Newhart autographed copt of the "The Last Newhart" script of the final episode
- Cliff's Books Approx. 150 comics (all in individual wrapping)
- Crabtree & Evelyn Gift Basket
- David Letterman "Late Show" Two shirts from the David Letterman "Late Show"
- Food Network Food Network Cookbook
- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Child's Library- baskets of childrens books
- Office of George Bush 8 X 10 Autographed Photo of President George HW & Barbara Bush
- Office of Jimmy Carter 8 X 10 Autographed Photo of President Jimmy Carter
- Shipyard Emporium Shipyard ice bucket, 2 shipyard brewing company pint glasses, 2 shipyard tee shirts, a 6 pack of select shipyard beer
- Steve Martin Autographed Black & White Photograph
- Whole Foods Market Gourmet Gift Basket
- SHFB 2 lifetime VIP Tast of the Nation tickets
- Neiman Marcus Fragment Evening Silver Dangle Earrings, valued at $100
- Neiman Marcus St. John Pearl Ring, valued at $150
- Neiman Marcus Tory Burch Red Leather Zip Wallet, valued at $195
- Neiman Marcus Ippolita Silver charm bracelet, valued at $125
- Neiman Marcus Men's Giorgio Armani Black and Grey Dress Tie and Men's Brioni Silk Light Blue Charvet Diagonal Grid Tie, valued at $350
- Neiman Marcus 2 Lee Angel Pearl and Metallic black bracelets, valued at $250
- Neiman Marcus Lee Angel Tuxedo Chicgod Bracelet, valued at $125
- Neiman Marcus BALLY Black Leather Men's Wallet, valued at $195
- Neiman Marcus William Yeoward English Crystal Bud Vase, valued at $90
- Neiman Marcus 3 Depression Glass in Sienna Candlesticks, valued at $125
- Neiman Marcus S.Bernardo for Neiman Marcus White Dimensional Bowl, valued at $110
- Neiman Marcus Silver Plated Beaded Frame in 5x7 and 8x10, valued at $225
- Neiman Marcus Juliska Large White Pitcher, valued at $100
- Neiman Marcus Juliska Large Oval Baker, valued at $85
- Neiman Marcus Riedel Swirl and Gift Set, 4 red wine glasses and matching decanter, valued at $60.00
Entertainment
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| Two Tickets To Blue Man Group ($150 Value) | Two Orlando Philharmonic Silver Tickets ($74 Value) |
- Blue Man Group Two tickets to Blue Man Group
- Busch Gardens Four one-day passes to Busch Gardens
- House of Blues Two tickets to Sunday Gospel Brunch
- Howl at the Moon VIP party
- Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex 4 admission tickets
- Mad Cow Theatre 2 tickets
- MOSI membership
- Orange County Regional History Center 4 admission tickets
- Orlando Philharmonic Two Silver Tickets to one concert in the 2011-2012 Orlando Philharmonic Super Series.
- Orlando Repertory Theatre Four tickets to any 1 public performance in the REP's 2011-2012 Season.
- Orlando Science Center Four general admission tickets
- Orlando Shakespeare Theater Two tickets to the Signature Series Production of The Importance of Being Earnest.
- Sak Comedy Club 2 addmission passes
- Seaworld Two (2) Discovery Cove- Dolphin Interaction Program tickets + Gift basket
- Seaworld Four Seaworld/Aquatica combo tickets (489.84) + Gift Basket included
- Seaworld Four Makahiki Luau tickets and Four SeaWorld single days admission tickets (340.76).
- The Florida Aquarium Two tickets to the 200,000 square foot aquatic center.
- WonderWorks Two tickets to WonderWorks
2011
- Cress raises $13,650 for hunger relief at James Beard nominee dinner
- Tasty Chomps - Taste of the Nation Recap
- Tasty Chomps - Interview with The Ravenous Pig
- Cassandra Branson - Crave Local
- Katy Widrick
- Mega Yummo - City Fire American Oven and Bar at Taste of the Nation Orlando
- Taste of the Nation Orlando, JW Marriott Creme Brulee Demo
- PBFingers
- Peasinablog
- Sushiandsitups
2010
- Official Press Release: TASTE OF THE NATION RAISES $156K TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD HUNGER
- MIX 105.1 Community Connection interview with Dana Taylor
- Blog by Coalition for the Homeless
- Guest blog by Taste of the Nation Co-Chair Michele Byington
- Blog: The Dish by Orlando Sentinel staff writer Heather McPherson
- Blog: A Night With the Hops
- Blog by Katy Widrick: In Pursuit of Health, Happiness and a Balanced Diet Life
- Blog: Scott Joseph's Orlando Restaurant Guide
Please contact us regarding event details, PR/media, restaurant participation, volunteering or donating an auction item. Thank you!
Event Chair
Michele Byington
407-246-5504
Michele.Byington@regions.com
PR/Marketing Chair
Ellen Hutter
407-620-0718 ehutter@restaurantforumfl.com
Restaurant & Beverage Chair
Bill Sullivan 407-292-0299 sully32751@aol.com
Silent & Live Auction Chair
Collen Herrick 407-679-5150
colleen@careerchoice.cc
Local Beneficiaries:
- Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida - The Coalition's mission is to address the needs of the homeless in our community and to serve as a catalyst for community collaboration to end homelessness. To do this, we strive to return homeless individuals to lives of independence through case management, education and job training.
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida - Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a private, nonprofit organization that collects and distributes donated food to more than 500 nonprofit partner agencies in six Central Florida counties: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia.
Statewide Beneficiaries:
- Florida Impact - Florida Impact's mission is to inspire and enlist the people of Florida to secure justice for and with those whose economic rights have not been realized. We also work to increase access to food programs by conducting aggressive outreach strategies and public policy advocacy.
