What could be better than dining for a good cause? Dining for a good cause that features some of the best chefs in the area, that’s what! Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation, which happens every year, benefit dedicated to making sure no kid grows up hungry. All of the chefs and mixologists donate their time, talent and passion with one goal in mind: to raise the critical funds needed to end childhood hunger.

This year there was no tastebud left unhappy.  What with nibbles from everyone like Scott Drewno of The Source, Mike Isabella of Graffiato, Bryan Voltaggio of Volt, and Haidar Karoum of Proof.  Plus add  on tastings from the likes of Pitango Gelato, Charm City Cakes (!!), The Bombay Club, The Oval Room, Cafe St-Ex & Bar Pilar, Art & Soul… well, you get the picture.  Last year Svetlana compared it to a kind of… food Olympics and if I had to pick a gold medal? It would have to have been the mussels from Belga Cafe! Delicious! But food isn’t the only worth gulping down as dozens of vineyard showcase their best bottles.  Mixologists like Gina Chersevani and Duane Sylvestre of Bourbon Steak made playful cocktails that had me definitely hailing a cab home.

Be sure to put Taste of the Nation on your calendar next year.