Atlanta’s 30th Annual Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry Raises More than Eight Million Healthy M

Photo Credit: Cerone Bussey

Atlanta’s top chefs, restaurateurs and mixologists joined forces to help end childhood hunger

(Atlanta, GA) – The 30th anniversary celebration of Atlanta’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry raised enough to help feed children in need more than eight million healthy meals. More than 1,400 guests gathered at Cobb Galleria Centre on Thursday, May 3, for a special evening featuring gourmet samplings from more than 50 of Atlanta’s most celebrated chefs, as well as live, silent and beverage auctions, wine tastings and a variety of live entertainment including House Live band, Baton Bob, aerialists and a bubble dancer in a translucent sphere.

100 percent of the proceeds from Atlanta’s Taste of the Nation benefit the No Kid Hungry efforts to end childhood hunger in Georgia and around the country. Local beneficiaries include Atlanta Community Food Bank, Our House, Inc. and Open Hand Atlanta.

“Atlanta’s culinary community has been at the heart of our work since the beginning,” said Debbie Shore, co-founder of Share Our Strength, the organization behind No Kid Hungry. “Thanks to the generous supporters and attendees at this year’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry, we are well on our way to making No Kid Hungry a reality in Georgia and across the country.”

Leading this year’s event were founding chairman Pano Karatassos, founder and CEO of the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, and co- chairman George McKerrow, President and CEO of Ted’s Montana Grill. Alton Brown, producer, author and Food Network star, served as Honorary Chef.

Atlanta’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry is supported by national presenting sponsors Citi and Sysco®, national media sponsor Food Network, and national sponsors OpenTable and The Glenlivet. Local sponsors included Active Production & Design, Empire Distributors, Inc., Georgia Crown Distributing Company, National Distributing Company, Prime Wine & Spirits (Chalkboard), Pulte Homes, Quality Wine & Spirits, United Distributors, Coca-Cola Foodservice, Lincoln Motors, Atlanta Wholesale Wine, The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation - The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, The Billi Marcus Foundation, Alsco, Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Premier Agency, Treebird Branding, AmeriPride, The Cook's Warehouse, Kendra Scott, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Simply Buckhead, Southern Seasons, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, WXIA-TV / 11Alive, Restaurant Informer, Encore, Flavors, and Modern Luxury.

One in six children in America struggles with hunger, including one in four in Georgia. No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger nationwide by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. Since the campaign’s launch, No Kid Hungry and its partners have connected kids struggling with hunger to more than 775 million meals.

To learn more about No Kid Hungry, please visit NoKidHungry.org.