Celebrating its 25th year, Taste of the Nation Miami was held once again at the legendary Turnberry Isle Miami resort in Aventura. Over 650 people came out to support the cause helping to raise an unprecedented $95,000 for Share Our Strength, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization working to end childhood hunger.
The special culinary benefit was emceed by Celebrity Chef Ralph Pagano, along with Emmy award-winning TV anchors Laurie Jennings and Calvin Hughes of WPLG Miami. While longtime event chair Allen Susser of Burger Bar by Chef Allen, and chefs’ chair Andre Bienvenu of Joe’s Stone Crab, were instrumental from start to finish. Not only did foodies get the chance to sample the latest cuisine from over 40 celebrated chefs, but the best wines & spirits, live music, and an impressive array of silent and live auction items were on showcase during the affair, too. Highlights of the evening included a toast to Allen Susser, who started Taste of the Nation Miami at Turnberry Isle and has chaired the popular event for 25 years, as well delicious culinary creations like braised short ribs from BOURBON STEAK, fresh burrata with shaved truffles served by Quattro, barbeque watermelon and popcorn from Joe’s Stone Crab and a refreshing lobster salad by the Dutch.
A special thanks to all the participating chefs and restaurants, who truly made Taste of the Nation Miami an incredible success: 1500 Degrees, Area 31, Bianca at The Delano, Bourbon Steak, Cantina Laredo, Cascata Grill at Turnberry Isle Miami, Cookies by Shar, db Bistro Moderne, De Rodriguez Cuba on Ocean, The Dutch, Edge Steak and Bar, Essensia Restaurant, Florida Cookery, The Forge, III Forks Prime Steakhouse, Haven, J & G Grill at The St. Regis Bal Harbor, Joes Stone Crab, La Cote at the Fontainebleau, Lantao Kitchen, Little Palm Island, Makoto, Meat Market, Mercadito, Oceanaire, Paulina’s Pops, Quattro Gastronomia Italiana, Red The Steakhouse, Rosa Mexicano, Shake Shack, Steak 954, STK, Sugarcane, Sushi Samba Dromo, Baoli, We Take the Cake, Whole Foods Market and Wynwood Kitchen. Each year, Miami-Dade and Broward’s hottest chefs and mixologists donate their time, talent and passion during Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Miami with one goal in mind: to raise the critical funds needed to end childhood hunger. There are over 17 million kids in America with 637,000 of this total in Florida – that’s 1 in 4 children—who do not know when or where they’ll have their next meal. In South Florida, funds are distributed to a number of beneficiaries such as FLIPANY, Feeding South Florida and Florida Impact.
Taste of the Nation is sponsored nationally by American Express, Sysco, Food Network, S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, while Turnberry Isle Miami, Whole Foods Market, Southern Wine & Spirits, Cadillac, Bloomingdale’s, Chile Olive Oil, Cadillac, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Onli Beverages, Open Table, The Perfect Puree, Nespresso, VeeV, Deco Productions, Panache Party Rentals, Mike Sipe Entertainment, Shutterbox Photo Booth, Localdines.com, Room Service, Miami Magazine, New Times, Dine, DiningOut, WDNA, and Clear Channel are among the local sponsors for the popular Miami event. Since its inception 25 years ago, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $70 million.
To learn how you may contribute to Share Our Strength, visit www.strength.org
