Food and Philanthropy Come Together for Two Great Events

Those who enjoy their food best when it’s served with a big side of philanthropy should mark their calendars, as we’re looking at a couple of four-star events in the coming days.

TASTE OF THE NATION: On Sunday, May 19, Share Our Strength will host its sixth annual Taste of the Nation Santa Barbara event. The afternoon will feature food from more than 30 chefs and restaurants, wine from a who’s who of area vintners, and a little friendly Chopped-style competition, in which three teams will prepare a meal in 30 minutes using ingredients provided by Whole Foods and Fairview Gardens. Each team will include one pro chef (David Reardon, Bacara; Jason Tuley, Anchor Woodfire Kitchen; Jason Paluska, The Lark), one community leader (SBFD Captain Michael Hoose; Foodbank CEO Erik Talkin; SBCC President Lori Gaskin), and one junior high student from Fairview Gardens’ internship program.

The event goes to benefit the S.B. Foodbank, United Boys & Girls Club of S.B., California Food Policy Advocates, California Association of Food Banks, and No Kid Hungry, Share Our Strength’s campaign to end childhood hunger in America. “There’s no better cause,” said Bacara Executive Chef Reardon. Anchor’s Chef Tuley agreed, adding, “As a father, as well as a member of the Santa Barbara community, opportunities like Taste of the Nation resonate with me. I’m honored to be involved in an event that brings together the culinary strength of our region in order to fight childhood hunger.”