Central Florida’s most distinguished chefs will join forces August 27, 2016 to help fight childhood hunger at Orlando’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry. Forty-two of the area’s most accomplished chefs will showcase tasting portions of signature dishes, accompanied by wine, craft beers and specialty cocktails at the Orlando World Center Marriott.
We’ve attended the past two years and always anticipate the return of Taste of the Nation. New to this year’s event includes Benihana, Canvas Lake Nona, Eleven and Forte at Reunion Resort, Hemisphere Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, Nova Scratch Kitchen, The Osprey Tavern, Restaurant ASH, and The Rusty Spoon.
Aside from an endless supply of flavor, there’s several mini events throughout the evening and leading up the the main show:
- The Giving Tree raffle, sponsored by Edible Orlando, returns for the second year inviting guests to win a taste of Orlando’s most popular establishments. For a $50 donation, guests can select a Giving Tree envelope hanging from a towering tree containing a gift certificate ranging from $25 to $300 in value.
- The event’s ever-popular Instant Wine Cellar game offers participants a chance to win more than 150 bottles of wine valued at more than $2,500. There are only 250 chances to win this exquisite wine cellar. Each key is a $25 donation.
- Guests can also win fine bottles of wine with the all-new Ring Toss for Wine fundraiser. Rings are available for purchase to toss onto wine bottles ─$5 for two tosses or $10 for six tosses. When a ring lands around a bottle neck, the guest wins a bottle of wine to take home.
- Eola Wine Company welcomes guests to raise a glass to end childhood hunger with a series of weekly wine tasting events on Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. from July 20 to Aug. 24. For a$15 donation at the door, guests will receive free tastings of select wines. Offering fine varietals by the glass, flight and bottle, plus light fare, Eola Wine Company is located in downtown Orlando at 430 E. Central Blvd., Orlando.
- The Ancient Olive is fighting childhood hunger with olive oil by donating $1 for each bottle of ultra-premium extra virgin olive oils, aged balsamic vinegars, and flavor-infused olive oils sold between July 20 and August 31. The tasting bar for premium extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars is located at 324 N. Park Ave., Winter Park. The Spice & Tea Exchange, located at 309 Park Ave. North, Winter Park, will also donate $1 for each gourmet grinder blend sold.
- For the first time, Orlando’s Taste of the Nation introduces the Golden Ticket Giveaway, offering an exciting new way to win a pair of complimentary tickets to this year’s event. Guests who dine at select, participating establishments can ask their server for a Golden Ticket to receive a concealed envelope that may contain a pair of tickets to this year’s event. Chances of winning are 1 in 10. Follow hashtags #OrlTaste and #GoldenTicket for a list of participating restaurants and updates on remaining Golden Tickets. The Golden Ticket Giveaway runs from Aug. 1 – 22.
Event Details:
Saturday, August 27, 2016, $150
6:45 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Orlando World Center Marriott
8701 World Center Dr., Orlando
Participating Restaurants:
1. Artist’s Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
2. B Resort & Spa/American Kitchen
3. Benihana
4. Black Fire Brazilian Steakhouse
5. Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine
6. Café Tu Tu Tango
7. Canvas Lake Nona
8. Capa at Four Seasons Resort Orlando
9. The Capital Grille
10. CFHLA Food & Beverage Council
11. Cress Restaurant
12. Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar at Pointe Orlando
13. Eddie V’s
14. Eleven at Reunion Resort
15. Empress Sissi Cake & Specialty Pastries
16. Forte at Reunion Resort
17. FreshPoint Central Florida
18. Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center/Old Hickory Steakhouse
19. Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center/MOOR
20. Hemisphere Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
21. Highball and Harvest at Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
22. JW Marriott Grande Lakes Orlando, featuring Whisper Creek Farms: The Kitchen
23. K Restaurant and Wine Bar
24. Marlow’s Tavern
25. Nestle Professional
26. Nova Scratch Kitchen
27. Orlando World Center Marriott
28. The Osprey Tavern
29. RA Sushi
30. Red Wing Restaurant
31. Restaurant ASH
32. Rosen Shingle Creek │A Land Remembered
33. Rosen Shingle Creek │Cala Bella Restaurant
34. The Rusty Spoon
35. Seasons 52 Fresh Grill
36. SeaWorld Orlando
37. Tapa Toro Tapas Bar and Paella Pit
38. Taverna Opa Orlando
39. The Whiskey
40. Three 2 OH Ice Cream
41. Universal Orlando
42. Yak & Yeti
Let the anticipation commence! Grab your tickets here.