Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach will be held on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Picture courtesy of Christine Sosa Photography with permission of Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach
Celebrity Chefs such as Duff Goldman and Alan Wong, great ocean views, craft cocktails and much more take center stage on June 8, 2014 when the Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach takes place at the Montage in Laguna Beach. The event is under the auspices of the national Share Our Strength organization, whose chief goal is to end childhood hunger, both in Orange County and across the nation through it’s No Child Hungry program. The Montage Laguna Beach, set on the oceanfront bluffs with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, will be the site of this delicious, fun event to benefit the No Child Hungry program.
Chef Craig Strong of Montage Laguna Beach with his Seared Scallops. Picture courtesy of Christine Sosa Photography with permission of Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach
Headlining the culinary side of this charitable event will be the Executive Chef of Studio, the Montage’s Signature Restaurant, Craig Strong. Creating succulent farm-to-table delicacies along with Chef Strong will be several noted celebrity chefs. California Chefs coming to the event include Chef Alan Greeley of The Golden Truffle in Costa Mesa; TV Chef and owner of Charm City Cakes in Los Angeles, Chef Duff Goldman; Top Chef contestant Chef Brian Huskey, of Paiche, Picca and Mo-Chica in Los Angeles; and the Montage Laguna Beach’s own Executive Pastry Chef, Lee Smith. Flying in from Miami Beach, Florida will be former Top Chef contestant and acclaimed Chef de Cuisine at the Fountainbleau’s Scarpetta Restaurant, Chef Nina Compton. Hawaii’s own Chef Alan Wong, a James Beard Award winner, will represent his own Alan Wong Restaurants in Oahu.
A wide variety of wines, artisan cocktails, craft beers and top-flight waters will accompany the delicious food. The beverages will be provided by local purveyors Haven Gastropub and Brewery, esteemed water suppliers San Pelligrino and Acqua Panna with craft distilled spirits from California’s Congenial Spirits and much more from the Soigné Group.
Haven Gastrobub and Brewery will be providing delicious libations at the Taste of the Nations Laguna Beach. Picture courtesy of Christine Sosa Photography with permission of Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach
Last year’s Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach raised over $200,000 which helped connect children in need with up to 2 million meals. Many generous major companies have loaned their support, allowing one hundred percent of the event’s ticket proceedings this year to benefit the No Child Hungry campaign. The No Kid Hungry campaign is ending childhood hunger in this nation by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day by connecting them to nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and by teaching families how to cook healthy, affordable meals at home. Local beneficiaries will include Second Harvest Orange County Food Bank, Community Action Parnership of OC and Father Serra’s Food Pantry at the Mission San Juan Capistrano.
In addition to the delicious food, wines and cocktails that guests will enjoy, there will be live entertainment by local band the Kalama Brothers and both a silent and a live auction. As contributors to the charity, two ticket packages are available for the event. The Celebrity Chef Tasting tickets will cover the tasting event from 4:00 to 7:00pm and will be $200 in advance or $225 at the door. The VIP “Meet the Chef” Reception happens from 4:00 to 9:00pm and includes the Celebrity Chef Tasting, followed by an after party to mingle and meet the chefs. The VIP treatment includes valet parking, a sunset toast and post-event gifts. The tickets are $275 per person and $300 at the door.
A weekend’s drive down the coast for this amazing event will definitely combine a delicious event with romantic views and a chance to enjoy the sights, tastes and fun of Laguna Beach. No child should grow up hungry in America and this is a great way to help reach that goal while having a marvelous time.
Tickets can be purchased for the Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach at this website:
http://ce.strength.org/events/taste-nation-laguna-beach
