Celebrity Chefs Help Fight Hunger At Taste Of The Nation
Taste of the Nation is one of the largest events the culinary world has to offer, with events all across the country that draw well-known chefs and culinary personalities to raise awareness for fighting hunger in America. The New York Taste of the Nation event on April 28th, which raised funds and awareness for the No Kid Hungry campaign, drew more than 75 figures from the culinary industry including Anne Burrell, Scott Conant, and Alex Guarnaschelli, as well as thousands of guests who sampled food, wine, and cocktails from some of the best restaurants and bars New York has to offer. Participating restaurants and bars included 21 Club, Davio's, Hill Country Barbecue, Annisa, Telepan, PDT, The Meatball Shop, and The Dead Rabbit.
Celebrity Chefs Help Fight Hunger at Taste of the Nation (Slideshow)
"This is the event that sold me on feeding people beyond the four walls of my restaurant," Danny Meyer, the CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group, and co-chair of the No Kid Hungry committee, told The Daily Meal. "Whatever hospitality we give to people who can afford to pay is even more meaningful when you use that same spirit of giving toward people who cannot afford to."
Since 2011, No Kid Hungry, sponsored by big-time food brands like Emmi, has aimed to not only to provide adequate food for kids and families in need, but also to make sure that those children have access to healthy meals by connecting them to healthy school breakfasts and summer meals, and teaching their families how to cook healthy (and cheaply) at home. In fact, 100 percent of the night's proceeds went to the No Kid Hungry campaign and, according to committee co-chair Eli Sussman of Mile End Deli, each dollar raised represented about 10 meals for a hungry child.
"The culinary industry has a responsibility to end childhood hunger in this country," said event co-host chef Alison Cayne in a statement. "As chefs, we feed people every day and we need to ensure all kids have the healthy food they need, every day."
It was a fun and celebratory night: Here's Executive chef Bryce Shuman and general manager Eamon Rockey of Betony having some fun at Taste of the Nation.
Janine Booth, Amanda Cohen, and Jeff McInnis
Janine Booth, chef de cuisine at soon-to-open Root & Bone, Amanda Cohen of Dirt Candy, and Jeff McInnis (previously of Yardbird, opening Root & Bone in New York this year) pose for the camera.
See more insider photos from Taste of the Nation
Joanna Fantozzi is an Associate Editor at The Daily Meal(@JoannaFantozzi), Jane Bruce is the photo editor (@JaneeBruce) and Eva Zaccaria is the video editor(@EvaZaccaria).