about us
Friday,
August 28, 2026
Orlando World Center Marriott
8701 World Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32821
6:30 PM - 11:00 PM
21 & Over
cocktail attire requested
A PARTY WITH A PURPOSE
Taste! Central Florida is the region’s premier culinary event, bringing together Central Florida’s top chefs, restaurants, and beverage experts for an unforgettable evening. Guests experience delicious dining, exceptional cocktails, live entertainment, and a shared mission to combat hunger in our community.
Since its inception in 1989, this remarkable event has raised over $5 million—equating to more than 20 million meals provided to children experiencing hunger across Central Florida. The annual celebration thrives on the generosity of our community’s chefs, brewers, and distillers who donate their time, talent, and creations.
Our 300+ volunteers, sponsors and ticket holders like you play a critical role in making this event one of the leading fundraisers for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. Every contribution directly impacts children and families facing food insecurity.
The best part? 100% of event proceeds go towards funding vital programs that serve children and families facing food insecurity.
beneficiaries
Taste! Central Florida Committee
Co-chairs
Haley Hitzing, Event Chair, Sodexo Live!
Nicole Spooner, Partnership Chair, Mpact Orlando Marketing
Christina Nguyen, Communications Chair, Vidi Global
Liz Buske, Secretary, H. J. High Construction
Planning Committee
Andrea Patenaude, Thirty-One Gifts
Angelika Jones, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida
Bill Sullivan, I Wanna Distributors, Inc.
Britt Brennan
Brett Buske
Bruce Spooner
Caitlyn Brophy
Carla Smith
Carolina Grabova
Caryn Goldstein
Cathy Kort,
Gantom Lighting & Controls
Chelsea Rice, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Chris Chen, Viet-Nomz
Chrissy Haight
Dan Samuels,
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Ed Nasser, Truist
Holly Mele,Leows Hotels
Jackie Gardner, CSI DMC
Jennifer Pence, Community Advocate
Jessica Baum
Jessica Guzman, Coalition for the Homeless
John Cooper
John Kolata, Signia by Hilton & Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek
Julian Roger Da Costa, The Walt Disney Company
Justine Sachetta, Edward Jones
Karen Busch
Karen Smart
Kelsey Kercado,
Sodexo Live!
Keshia Sutton, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Kevin Batterberry, Disney Experiences
Kimmie Caramuta, Paradigm Party Band
Leigh Anne Nieman, Hilton Grand Vacations
Liz Lusher
Marc Gibson
Mark Charlton
Mark Zickefoose, AT&T
Megan Sutherland
Michele Cooper,
Florida Dairy Farmers
Michele Stevens, WFTV
Mike Mele, Pershing/BNY
Nancy Mele, Alpha Gamma Delta
Paul Bodoia, Taylor Printing
Ricky Ly, Tasty Chomps
Ryan Grail
Selina Mullenax, CORT
Sharon Joseph, Chep
Susan Kaney,
Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida
Susan Storey
Ted Watson, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida
Veronica Durant, Boystown
Veronica J. Mucha,
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Zenith Lwin
Volunteer
Join our team of volunteers and be a part of an incredible event!
If you’re interested, please contact taste.orlando.volunteer@gmail.com.