May 23, 2017

South Florida's Taste of the Nation Raises More Than $68,000 to Help Feed Kids in Need

More Than 680,000 Meals Secured

On Friday, May 12, 2017, more than 1,000 charity-minded foodies gathered at Wynwood’s Soho Studios for the city’s premier culinary event for a cause – South Florida’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry®. The annual tasting event, which featured Miami-Dade and Broward county top chefs, sommeliers and mixologists, raised more than $68,000 to support No Kid Hungry’s work to end childhood hunger in America.

The 29th annual soirée was hosted by Y100’s Nick Pena and CBS4’s EMMY Award-winning reporter Lisa Petrillo with a special performance by nationally acclaimed music group, The Strumbellas. Leading the pack of over 60 of the city’s best food and drink destinations were Chef Chairman Timon Balloo and Honorary Chef Chair Allen Susser.

This year’s after party took place a stone’s throw away at R House, the vibrant and funky restaurant and gallery where chef/owner Rocco Carulli along with Elia Gourmet, Big Easy Winebar & Grill and SORSO by Scott Conant kept the party going with delicious bites and libations.

Taste of the Nation South Florida 2017 chefs and participants included: 3030 Ocean; 4 Rivers Smokehouse; Alter Restaurant; Antico Pizza; Area 31; Artisan Beach House; Bar Collins at Loews Miami Beach Hotel; Bazaar Mar by José Andrés; Beaker & Gray; Bird & Bone; BLT Prime; BOCCE; Bourbon Steak Miami; Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits; Byblos Miami; CORSAIR Kitchen & Bar; Council Oak Steaks & Seafood at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; db Bistro Moderne; EDGE Steak & Bar; Fi'lia by Michael Schwartz; Finka Table & Tap; Fooq's; Glass & Vine; Jaya at The Setai; Katsuya South Beach; Kuro at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; KYU; Lure Fishbar at Loews Miami Beach Hotel; Macchialina; Malibu Farm; Market at EDITION; MC Kitchen; Meat Market; Michael's Genuine Food & Drink; Olla Miami; Ono Poke Shop; Ortanique On the Mile; Pao by Paul Qui at Faena Miami Beach; Phuc Yea; Pinch Kitchen; R House Wynwood; Red, the Steakhouse; Sarsaparilla Club; Scarpetta by Scott Conant; SUGARCANE raw bar grill; SUSHISAMBA; SuViche; TALDE Miami Beach; Temple Street Eatery; The Bazaar by José Andrés; The Café at Books & Books; The Dutch Miami; The Salty Donut; Whisk Gourmet; Wild Sea Oyster Bar & Grille; and Zest.

One in six children in this country struggles with hunger; in Florida it’s one in four. No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger in this nation by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. Already, No Kid Hungry and its partners have connected kids struggling with hunger with 500 million meals. This year, South Florida’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry raised enough to help feed children in need more than 680,000 healthy meals. Local beneficiaries include Florida Impact, FLIPANY and Feeding South Florida.

South Florida’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry® is supported by national presenting sponsors Citi and Sysco®, national media sponsor Food Network, national sponsors OpenTable and The Glenlivet, and local sponsors Breakthru Beverage, Mike Sipe Entertainment, CBS4, Events on the Loose, iHeartMedia, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Loews Miami Beach Hotel, VOSS Artesian Water from Norway, Panache Classic Event & Tent Rentals, Social Thinking, Williams Sonoma, and Brustman Carrino Public Relations.