--ABOUT THE EVENT--
More than 60 of the city’s finest restaurants, mixologists and wine bars will come together to create a culinary night to remember. Chef Chair RJ Cooper of Vidalia, Mixologist Chair Derek Brown of The Passenger and Wine Chair Sommelier Nadine Brown of Charlie Palmer Steak lead the culinary community in hosting an amazing event alongside local talents – Top Chef’s Bryan... [read more]

--ABOUT THE EVENT--
More than 60 of the city’s finest restaurants, mixologists and wine bars will come together to create a culinary night to remember. Chef Chair RJ Cooper of Vidalia, Mixologist Chair Derek Brown of The Passenger and Wine Chair Sommelier Nadine Brown of Charlie Palmer Steak lead the culinary community in hosting an amazing event alongside local talents – Top Chef’s Bryan Voltaggio of VOLT, BLT Steak’s Victor Albisu and 2009 RAMMY Rising Culinary Star of the Year Tony Chittum of Vermilion. This premier event is a showcase of the area’s finest talents in the food and beverage industry, gathering together to ensure no kid goes hungry.

Guests can look forward to decadent cuisine, tantalizing specialty cocktails and a wide variety of wines. Additionally, live entertainment will be provided by local DJs Will Eastman and lil’e. Luxurious auction items include an exclusive evening with a special menu prepared by Cooper and drink pairing created by Brown; a $1,000 gift certificate to Charm City Cakes of Food Network’s Ace of Cakes; and a Frederick, Maryland getaway package complete with theatre tickets, hotel stay and dinner at VOLT’s Table 21.

With nearly 17 million children nationally and 23,887 children in Washington, D.C. struggling with hunger, Taste of the Nation promotes awareness of Share Our Strength’s efforts. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $73 million for organizations in the United States, Canada and abroad, including more than $1.5 million in Washington, D.C. Local beneficiaries include Capital Area Food Bank, D.C. Hunger Solutions and Mary’s Center.

--PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS--
1789 -- 2941 -- 2 Amy's -- Adour -- Againn -- Aria Trattoria -- Art + Soul -- Artisan Confections -- Belga Cafe -- Best Buns -- BGR: The Burger Joint -- Bibana Osteria & Enoteca -- Bistro Bis -- BLT Steak -- Blue Duck Tavern -- Brabo -- Brasserie Beck -- Cafe Dupont -- Carlyle -- Casa Nonna -- Central Michel Richard -- Charlie Palmer Steak -- Chef Geoff's -- Citronelle -- Co Co. Sala -- Commonwealth Gastropub -- Cork -- Cupcakes Actually -- Dino -- Dolcezza Gelato -- Eola -- Eventide -- Farmers and Fishers -- The General Store -- Georgetown Cupcake -- Hook -- Indique Heights -- J&G Steakhouse -- Kebab-ji Grill -- Kellari Taverna -- Lebanese Taverna -- Majestic Cafe -- Marcel's -- Masa 14 -- Mon Ami Gabi -- Occidental Grill -- The Oceanaire Seafood Room -- The Passenger -- Poste Modern Brasserie -- Proof / PS7's -- Restaurant Eve -- Ristorante Posto -- Taberna del Alabardero -- Ristorante Tosca -- Teatro Goldoni -- Trummer's on Main -- Vermillion -- Vidalia -- Vinoteca -- VOLT

--TICKETS--
One hundred percent of ticket proceeds from Taste of the Nation will go to Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger thanks to generous support from our national sponsors American Express, Sysco, Food Network, Brown-Forman, Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, Leffe and S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water.

Tickets for Taste of the Nation Washington, D.C. can be purchased by calling 1-877-26-TASTE or visiting http://TasteOfTheNation.org/Washington. General Admission tickets are $85, VIP tickets are $125.

-- ABOUT TASTE OF THE NATION --
Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation is the nation's premier culinary benefit dedicated to making sure no kid grows up hungry. Each spring and summer, the nation's hottest chefs and mixologists donate their time, talent and passion at nearly 40 events across the United States and Canada, with one goal in mind: to raise the critical funds needed to end childhood hunger.