TASTE! CENTRAL FLORIDA CELEBRATES 30th YEAR BY RAISING $277,154 FOR LOCAL CHILDHOOD HUNGER RELIEF PROGRAMS
MEDIA CONTACT:
Krista Zilizi Logue
kristazilizi@hotmail.com
407-620-5799
ORLANDO, FLA. (September 19, 2019) – Taste! Central Florida presented by Wine Hawks celebrated its 30th year by raising $277,154 to support the childhood feeding programs and services of Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
Forty-one of the area’s most distinguished chefs along with 30 premier brewers, distilleries, wine purveyors, and specialty beverage vendors came together at the Orlando World Center Marriott on Sept. 14 to tantalize more than 2,000 guests with sips and samples to help ensure no child grows up hungry in Central Florida.
Beyond the culinary and beverage offerings, guests enjoyed live music provided by LUVU, Orlando Saxophone Project and Quiet Riot, as well as an exciting silent auction featuring signed memorabilia, stays at upscale resorts, dining experiences, rounds of golf on area courses, and exotic adventures and getaways.
This year's Taste! Central Florida delighted guests with many of the hallmark entertainment and fundraising games guests anticipate each year, plus exciting new experiences to mark the event’s 30th year.
The Instant Wine Cellar game, which has been part of Taste! Central Florida for the last decade, awarded more than 150 bottles of wine valued at $4,400 to one person who purchased the winning key that opened the wine door. Keys were $25 each.
The Giving Tree, sponsored by Edible Orlando, rewarded participants with a taste of Orlando’s most popular dining and drinking establishments. For a $50 donation, each participant walked away with a gift certificate ranging from $25 to $250 in value.
The Ring Toss for Wine fundraiser was met with enthusiasm by hundreds of guests who tried their luck at winning fine bottles of wine valued up to $50 by landing rings around the neck of a wine bottle.
The Liquor Locker awarded a stock-the-bar set to one lucky winner, which included dozens of bottles of premium liquors, mixers, bar-themed accessories, and cocktail recipe books, valued at a total of $2,500.
The Silent Disco debuted at this year's event inviting guests to dance to their own beat through wireless headphones that offered a private listening experience of their own choosing in exchange for a suggested $10 donation.
The Wine Pull was another new addition to this year's event that offered guests a chance to win a bottle of wine by selecting a wine cork at random for a $15 donation.
Taste! Central Florida was held during Hunger Action Month, a national movement held in September to raise awareness around the hunger-related issues that affect communities across the nation.
Since making the decision to operate as an independent event in 2017 to advocate solely for hungry and homeless children in Orlando, Taste! Central Florida has been able to make an even greater impact to assist the one in five kids locally who struggle with hunger.
This year's proceeds translate to more than 1 million meals to feed families throughout Central Florida in the coming year. Each $200 Taste! Central Florida ticket provides 800 meals to kids in the community. Every dollar raised funds four meals.
"There are so many kids in our community that go to bed hungry every night, and this event and the funds that come from it are putting a big dent in working toward ending childhood hunger in our community," said Meredith McCutcheon Bekemeyer, Director of Development for Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.
Each year, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida provides 250,000 meals to children in Central Florida and serves 140 children every day.
More than 500,000 individuals throughout Central Florida turn to Second Harvest Food Bank's food pantries and meal service programs each year. The organization's Meals for Good program produces more than 40,000 meals a week over the summer months to feed local children.
"We could not raise the hundreds of thousands of dollars and feed the tens of thousands of children we feed each year if it wasn't for Taste! Central Florida," said Dan Samuels, Director of Philanthropy for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
One of the region’s longest-running food and beverage fundraising events, Taste! Central Florida is a volunteer-driven event organized each year by an all-volunteer steering committee representing a variety of local businesses and organizations, supported by more than 300 day-of event volunteers, and made possible by the in-kind support of a variety of local business partners.
"Taste! Central Florida represents 30 years of incredible chefs, restaurants, sponsors and volunteers who have united with a collective strength, energy and passion to build an event that has woven a huge heart for the most vulnerable in our community," said Michele Byington, co-chair for Taste! Central Florida.
This year's Taste! Central Florida was presented by Wine Hawks. Special thanks to generous sponsors Amerifactors, Rosen Hotels & Resorts, Darden Restaurants and Noble Marketing. For our complete list of sponsors, please visit tastecfl.org.
We also recognize the substantial support of Orlando World Center Marriott who has donated the event space for the last 10 years, Curtis 1000 who has donated their printing services for the last 30 years, Tampa Bay Buccaneers for sponsoring the Fan Zone, Kendra Scott, Blue Martini Pointe Orlando, Airstar Space Lighting, Chic Event Furniture Rental, Day Entertainment & Events, Monster Media, Peyton Entertainment, See Magic Live (Kostya Kimlat), Sysco, Accent Entertainment, Event Source, Lovespoon, Synergy, VIDI Global, Edible Orlando, Entercom Radio (MIX 105.1 and 1059 Sunny FM), and WFTV 9 Family Connection.
ABOUT TASTE! CENTRAL FLORIDA
Featuring the area’s most accomplished chefs, brewers, wine purveyors, and beverage vendors, Taste! Central Florida is an annual celebration of the community’s culinary excellence offering an evening of tasting portions of signature dishes accompanied by fine wines, craft beers, cocktails, and specialty beverages. With a an all-volunteer steering committee, more than 300 day-of event volunteers, in-kind support from a variety of local business partners, and the generous backing of Orlando World Center Marriott who donates the event space each year, Taste! Central Florida is one of the largest fundraisers of the year for the children’s feeding programs of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.
TASTE! CENTRAL FLORIDA RETURNS TO ORLANDO WORLD CENTER MARRIOTT THIS FALL TO CELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF LOCAL CHILDHOOD HUNGER RELIEF
ORLANDO, FLA. (May 1, 2019) -Taste! Central Florida, the region’s premier fundraising food and beverage tasting event, returns to celebrate its 30th anniversary at the Orlando World Center Marriott on Saturday, September 14, 2019 showcasing the community's culinary excellence while helping Central Florida children struggling with hunger get access to the meals they need.
This evening of tasting portions of signature dishes accompanied by craft beers, specialty cocktails, and fine wines will feature some of the most sought-after chefs, eateries, brewers, and wine and spirit purveyors in the region. The lineup of chefs and beverage vendors will be announced soon.
One of the largest fundraisers of the year for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, last year's Taste! Central Florida raised enough funds to provide meals to more than 1 million children in Central Florida.
Tickets for this year's event are now available for purchase at tastecfl.org/tickets. Tickets are $200 per person. Guests can purchase tickets at a buy one get one half off (BOGO) discount through May 15, 2019.
Taste! Central Florida is a truly local event with 100 percent of proceeds remaining in the community, where the fastest growing segment of the hungry and homeless population is families with children.
The 2019 30th Anniversary Taste! Central Florida event will delights guests with many of the hallmark entertainment and fundraising games guests anticipate each year. Exciting new experiences are in store to mark the event’s 30th year.
The automated mobile Silent Auction will feature signed memorabilia, stays at upscale hotels, dining experiences, rounds of golf on area courses, and exotic adventures and getaways.
The beloved Giving Tree will invite guests to win a taste of Orlando’s most popular establishments. For a $50 donation, guests can select envelopes hanging from a towering tree containing dining and beverage gift certificates ranging from $25 to $200 in value.
The event’s longstanding Instant Wine Cellar game will offer participants a chance to win more than 150 bottles of wine from an exquisite wine cellar valued at more than $2,500.
The new favorite Liquor Locker drawing will allow guests who purchase a $50 ticket, a chance to win more than $1500 worth of liquor and swag to stock their personal home bar.
WHEN:
Saturday, September 14, 2019
6:45 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Orlando World Center Marriott
8701 World Center Dr.
Orlando, FL 32821
TICKETS:
$200 each
CURRENT TICKET PROMOTION:
Buy One Get One Half Off (BOGO 50% OFF)
Valid until May 15, 2019
ATTIRE:
Cocktail / Semi-Formal
BENEFICIARIES:
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida
TASTE! CENTRAL FLORIDA RAISES $252,031 TO SUPPORT LOCAL CHILDHOOD HUNGER RELIEF PROGRAMS FOR THE COMING YEAR
Photo by @aaronvanphoto
Photo by @aaronvanphoto
Photo by Alison Epps Photography
Photo by @aaronvanphoto
Photo by Alison Epps Photography
ORLANDO, FLA. (September 17, 2018) – Taste! Central Florida presented by Uncorked Gourmet celebrated its 29th year by raising $252,031 to support the childhood feeding programs and services of Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
More than 50 of the area’s most distinguished chefs along with 24 premier brewers, distilleries, wine purveyors, and specialty beverage vendors came together at the Orlando World Center Marriott on Sept. 8 to tantalize nearly 2,000 guests with sips and samples to help ensure no child grows up hungry in Central Florida.
Beyond the culinary and beverage offerings, guests enjoyed live music provided by NüBeat and an exciting silent auction featuring signed memorabilia, stays at upscale resorts, dining experiences, rounds of golf on area courses, and exotic adventures and getaways.
The event’s popular Instant Wine Cellar game awarded more than 150 bottles of wine valued at $3,000 to one person who purchased the winning key that opened the wine door.
The Giving Tree, sponsored by Edible Orlando, rewarded participants with a taste of Orlando’s most popular dining and drinking establishments. For a $50 donation, each participant walked away with a gift certificate ranging from $25 to $250 in value.
The Ring Toss for Wine fundraiser was met with enthusiasm by hundreds of guests who tried their luck at winning fine bottles of wine valued up to $50 by landing rings around the neck of a wine bottle.
The all-new Liquor Locker awarded a stock-the-bar set to one lucky winner, which included dozens of bottles of premium liquors, mixers, bar-themed accessories, and cocktail recipe books, valued at a total of $2,500.
Taste! Central Florida was held this year during Hunger Action Month, a national movement held in September to raise awareness around the hunger-related issues that affect communities across the nation.
Since making the decision to operate as an independent event last year to advocate solely for hungry and homeless children in Orlando, Taste! Central Florida has been able to make an even greater impact to assist the one in four kids locally who struggle with hunger.
The funds generated by Taste! Central Florida this year will help Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida provide shelter and services to more than 140 children and their families each night and serve more than 250,000 nutritious meals in the coming year.
“For years, Taste! has been a crucial force in the fight against childhood hunger right here in Central Florida," said John E. Hearn, President/CEO Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. "The impact at the Coalition has been tremendous. Thanks to the passionate committee, sponsors, chefs, donors, and attendees, more than 140 kids wake up each morning to a nutritious breakfast and end the day eating dinner with their families – never worrying when their next meal will be.”
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida secures and distributes food and grocery products to approximately 550 local nonprofit feeding programs throughout Central Florida. Funds from Taste! Central Florida will help the agency allocate more than 50 million meals to partner programs such as food pantries, women’s shelters, day care centers, and Kids Cafes.
“Funds from this event make it possible for our organization to continue to close the gap on childhood hunger in Central Florida, which unfortunately remains far too wide at this time," said Dave Krepcho, President & CEO Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. "We are so pleased to be able to multiply this support into more food, for more kids, than at any other time in our history.”
One of the region’s longest-running food and beverage fundraising events, Taste! Central Florida is a volunteer-driven event organized each year by an all-volunteer steering committee representing a variety of local businesses and organizations, supported by more than 300 day-of event volunteers, and made possible by the in-kind support of a variety of local business partners.
This year's Taste! Central Florida was presented Uncorked Gourmet. Special thanks to generous sponsors Darden Restaurants, Regions Bank, Rosen Hotels & Resorts, Noble Marketing, AmeriFactors, Disney, FreshPoint, MetroHealth and Visium Resources. For our complete list of sponsors, please visit tastecfl.org.
We also recognize the substantial support of Orlando World Center Marriott who has donated the event space for the last nine years, Curtis 1000 who has donated their printing services for the last 17 years, Day Entertainment & Events, Airstar Space Lighting, Chic!, Peyton Entertainment, Gifn, See Magic Live, Edible Orlando, Entercom MIX 105.1, and WFTV 9 Family Connection.
TASTE! CENTRAL FLORIDA TO TURN THE TABLE ON LOCAL CHILDHOOD HUNGER DURING HUNGER ACTION MONTH
ORLANDO, FLA. (September 5, 2018) – Central Florida’s most celebrated chefs and beverage purveyors will gather on September 8, 2018 at the Orlando World Center Marriott to serve up support for the annual Taste! Central Florida and raise funds for childhood hunger relief in the community.
Presented by Uncorked Gourmet, Taste! Central Florida is the region’s premier fundraising food and beverage tasting event featuring sample portions of signature dishes accompanied by craft beers, cocktails, fine wines, and specialty beverages. All proceeds from the event help Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida fund childhood feeding programs and services locally.
This year's event returns with an impressive roster of more than 50 restaurants and 24 brewers, distilleries, wine purveyors, and specialty beverage vendors. Newcomers include 310 Restaurants, Big Fin Seafood Kitchen, The Glass Knife, The Old Jailhouse, Pharmacy Orlando, Ravello at Four Seasons Resort Orlando, Terralina Crafted Italian, Tiffins at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Big Top Brewing Company, Dragon's Milk Bourbon Barrel Stout, Playalinda Brewing Company, and Wild Buck Whiskey & Mermaid Rum.
Taste! Central Florida will take place this year during Hunger Action Month, a national movement held annually throughout the month of September designed to raise awareness around the hunger-related issues that affect communities across the nation.
Since making the decision to operate as an independent event last year to advocate solely for hungry and homeless children in Orlando, Taste! Central Florida has been able to make an even greater impact to assist the one in four kids in Central Florida who struggle with hunger.
For the first time last year, 100 percent of event proceeds remained in the community and were directed exclusively to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, amounting to nearly $125,000 for each organization − the largest in event history.
"By holding this year's Taste! Central Florida during Hunger Action Month, we have a tremendous opportunity to elevate the dialogue about the specific hunger challenges children in our own community are facing on a daily basis and remind our guests about the many ways they can support the local anti-hunger efforts of Second Harvest Food Bank and Coalition for the Homeless beyond this one event," said Michele Byington, co-chair for Taste! Central Florida.
In addition to enjoying unlimited sips and samples, guests at Taste! Central Florida can also participate in a mobile silent auction featuring signed memorabilia, stays at upscale hotels, dining experiences, and exotic adventures and getaways.
The Giving Tree raffle, sponsored by Edible Orlando, is also back inviting guests to win a taste of Orlando’s most popular establishments. For a $50 donation, guests can select an envelope hanging from a towering tree containing a concealed gift certificate ranging from $25 to $250 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 $3,000. There are only 300 chances to win this exquisite wine collection. Each key is a $25 donation.
For a $25 donation, guests can buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a stock-the-bar set, complete with dozens of bottles of premium liquors, mixers, bar-themed accessories, and recipe books with signature cocktail recipes, valued at a total of $2,500.
Guests can also win fine bottles of wine with the Ring Toss for Wine fundraiser. Rings are available for purchase to toss onto wine bottles ─ 3 tosses for $15. When a ring lands around a bottle neck, the guest wins a bottle of wine to take home. Wine bottles range from $8 to $50 in value.
Orlando World Center Marriott is offering Taste! Central Florida guests an exclusive rate to stay at the resort during the weekend of the event. A special rate of $139 per night for a standard room (additional $25 daily resort fee applies) is available between September 7 - 9, 2018. Guests can reserve their room at the discounted rate by clicking here.
WHEN:
Saturday, September 8, 2018
6:45 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Orlando World Center Marriott
8701 World Center Dr., Orlando
TICKETS:
$175 each
ATTIRE:
Cocktail / Semi-Formal
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
- 310 Restaurants
- 4R Restaurant Group
- A Taste of Reunion Resort
- American Culinary Federation & Nestle Professional
- B Resort & Spa, American Kitchen
- Benihana
- Big Fin Seafood Kitchen
- Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine
- Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
- Canvas Restaurant & Market
- Catering for Good
- CFHLA Food & Beverage Council
- Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen
- Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar
- Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi
- Eddie V's Prime Seafood
- Empress Sissi
- Florida Nitro
- Fresh Point
- Glass Knife, The
- Hemisphere Restaurant at Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
- Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
- JW Marriott Grande Lakes, Whisper Creek Kitchen
- K Restaurant
- Marlow's Tavern
- MOOR at Gaylord Palms Resort
- Old Hickory Steakhouse Gaylord Palms Resort
- Old Jailhouse, The
- Orlando Food Department Co.
- Orlando World Center Marriott
- Pharmacy Orlando
- Raglan Road
- Ravello at Four Seasons Resort Orlando
- Red Wing Restaurant
- Rosen Shingle Creek • A Land Remembered
- Rosen Shingle Creek • Cala Bella
- Savor at Osceola Heritage Park
- Seasons 52 Fresh Grill
- SeaWorld Orlando
- STK
- Sysco
- Tapa Toro
- Taverna Opa
- Terralina Crafted Italian
- Tiffins at Disney's Animal Kingdom
- T-REX Café
- Universal Orlando
- Vines Grille & Wine Bar
- Whiskey, The
- Yak & Yeti
PARTICIPATING BEVERAGE VENDORS
- Acqua Panna & San Pellegrino
- Big Top Brewing Company
- Breakthru Beverage Group
- Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants
- Crooked Can Brewing Company
- Dragon's Milk Bourbon Barrel Stout
- E. & J. Gallo Winery
- Florida Farm Distillers Palm Ridge Whiskey
- Guinness
- Jackson Family Wines
- Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards
- Maker's Mark
- Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company
- NOI CAFFE by Mr. Cappuccino
- Not Your Father's Root Beer
- Opici Family Distributing
- Orange Blossom Brewing Co.
- Orlando Brewing Co.
- Playalinda Brewing Company
- Scavi & Ray
- Tito's Handmade Vodka
- Tsingtao Beer
- Wild Buck Whiskey & Mermaid Rum
- Campari America - Wild Turkey
Blue Martini's Little Black Dress Event Helps Taste! Central Florida Provide Childhood Hunger Relief
Let's hear it for Blue Martini Pointe Orlando and all the ladies who donned little black dresses for one very important occasion - to raise funds to combat childhood hunger in Central Florida!
Blue Martini's annual Little Black Dress event benefitted Taste! Central Florida, raising $2,330 to help fund the children's feeding programs of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.
Blue Martini hosted the event in July complete with luxurious designer giveaways, live entertainment, champagne and specialty cocktails.
We are grateful to Blue Martini for all they do to support our mission to connect hungry children in our community to the meals they need.
Bullet Point Buffet: Philanthropy Through Food
By: Scott Joesph - Orlando Restaurant Guide
One in four children in Orlando experience hunger issues. Once a year, all of the community's top culinary artists gather to make a difference for our children in need.
By: Lauren Umpenhour WFTV 9 Family Connection