Taste of the Nation benefits Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry

“No Kid Hungry” is the very appropriate slogan for this eating and drinking event to remind us how blessed and fortunate we are to have the opportunity to enjoy the very best food and drink from the most wonderful restaurants and food venues in the city of Charlotte. When we think of how fortunate we really are it makes us humble and we really want to do more.

Lots to sample

The attendance this year was much larger than last and the auctions, silent and live were more successful. The impact is real with the opportunity to do more. The Taste of the Nation is the nation’s premier culinary event to make sure no child grows up hungry, made possible through the support of national sponsors Sysco Systems, American Express and the Food Network. Along with select market sponsors, the events held across the country are delivering hope to millions of children who face hunger in the United States.

Friends of Dilworth Now News

Along with friends and associates, Dilworth Now News started at one end and ate and drank our way to the other. Enjoyed first class entertainment with Ziad on saxophone – a real treat we did not expect – and watched Ernest Perry, auctioneer of Perry’s Fine Antique & Estate Jewelry present the live auction which I found fascinating.




Great entertainment

We enjoyed the VIP Lounge, located away from the mainstream and tried all the martinis. My favorite was the Three Olives “Elvis.”

VIP martini bar

My Favorite spot

There were comfy leather couches and chairs to lounge and relax and be served trays of exotic nibbles and shelves of oh, so many different chocolates and small desserts making you wish you could taste them all.

Hanging out in the VIP lounge

Assorted chocolate desserts in the VIP Lounge

Charlotteans are really the most generous folks I know not only with support for a wonderful cause but personally, always willing to share their thoughts with us and pose for photos for the blog.





Best coffee of the night


I have to say all the food served was amazing and the spirits being served were perfect.



Stefan at work


Stefan Huebner, Taste of the Nations mixologist, was there again this year mixing his original cocktails, still the best. You can enjoy them anytime at Heist Brewery where Stefan is a regular bartender.



Duck comfit with pickled cherries

One of my favorite tastes was the duck comfit with pickled cherries on frisse lettuce served by Johnson and Wales University.




Saffron Indian Cuisine

Saffron Indian Cuisine served wonderful curried chicken over rice. Chima Brazilian Steakhouse served beef kabobs.




Uptown Bar and Kitchen prepared a whole pig

The Upstream had those wonderful scallops again this year.




Friendly folks from Wolfgang Puck

All together there were 21 restaurants and food venues represented. The generosity and givingness of everyone, sponsors, volunteers and guests—take a bow you all were amazing.

Here are some pictures of the delicious food and wonderful presentations that we enjoyed at Taste of the Nation, taken by friend of Dilworth Now News, Graham Froggett.

TASTE OF THE NATION

The VIP Lounge

                                      

Charlotte, North Carolina has some of the most amazing restaurants and chefs in the world.

Taste of the Nation 2013 was an event to remember. The food items served were tantalizing, downright erotic to the taste buds, and I feel honored to have had the experience.

One of the many bars

Wonderful cocktails, world class wines and liquors and aperitifs to satisfy every appetite completed the evening.

Enjoying Upstream's scallops

There were awards for hot and cold entrees, desserts and appetizers. 

Cantina's award-winning
 pork shank

Cantina 1511 here in Dilworth was among the award winners with its small pork shank entrée. 

My favorite appetizer was served by the Culinary Arts Department at Central Piedmont College: Duck Pâté on a pistachio cracker, oh my.

The Silent Auction

There was also a fabulous silent and live auction with lots of bidders going at it.

Representing the Westin

The entertainment was jamming and kept everyone in motion.

e2's GM greets the crowds

It always amazes me to watch how good food and drinks bring folks together in a very special way. 

Helping to raise money to fight childhood hunger

The Taste of the Nation is a benefit to raise money to end childhood hunger in North Carolina.  Part of the proceeds goes to culinary schools that train the unemployed.

Early in the evening

Don’t have the final figure as yet but the beautiful Wells Fargo Atrium was overflowing with donors and participants from all walks of life passionate to help and passionate about food. For more information on Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign visit its website, nokidhungry.org.

Duke Energy lights up orange to combat childhood hunger