Taste! Central Florida, the region’s premier fundraising food and beverage tasting event, returns to Orlando World Center Marriott on August 19 with an impressive roster of 43 restaurants and two dozen brewers, distilleries, wine purveyors, and specialty beverage vendors.

This annual celebration of the community’s culinary excellence invites guests to an evening of tasting portions of signature dishes accompanied by craft beers, cocktails, fine wines, and specialty beverages to help Central Florida children struggling with hunger get access to the meals they need.

Presented by AmeriFactors, Taste! Central Florida is one of the largest fundraisers of the year for children’s feeding programs administered by Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.

New to this year’s event are 12 of the area’s most noteworthy restaurants including The COOP, Ace Café, Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen, Eleven Restaurant at Reunion Resort, Orlando Food Department Co., Paddlefish, Plancha at Four Seasons Resort Orlando, Satu-Li Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Savor at Osceola Heritage Parks, Raglan Road, Tommy Bahama, and Urbain 40 American Brasserie.

Also new to the event is the way proceeds will benefit childhood feeding programs in Central Florida. With a new name and focus, Taste! Central Florida will direct 100 percent of the funds raised from this year’s event entirely to local anti-hunger efforts to make an even greater impact on hungry children in the region.

“In previous years, our event helped battle childhood hunger and food insecurity both locally and around the country,” said Michele Byington, co-chair of Taste! Central Florida. “This year, we are advocating solely for those in our own community, since the fastest growing segment of the hungry and homeless population in Central Florida is families with children.”

Guests will also enjoy a fully automated 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, returns for the third year 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 $300 in value.

The event’s ever-popular Instant Wine Cellar game is back offering participants a chance to win more than 150 bottles of wine valued at more than $2,500. There are only 300 chances to win this exquisite wine collection. Each key is a $25 donation.

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.

 

 

WHEN:

Saturday, August 19, 2017

6:45 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Orlando World Center Marriott

8701 World Center Dr., Orlando

TICKETS:

$150 each 

To see a complete list of participating restaurants and beverage vendors or to purchase tickets, visit Taste Central Florida.