Last Thursday I had the privilege of covering Share Our Strength’s Taste The Nation for Foodbuzz.com. The timing could not have been better — the day before Seattle had set a record at 103°F, so the idea of spending an evening inside air-conditioned Benaroya Hall was especially appealing. On the bus ride downtown my anticipation grew as I imagined the food and drinks I would sample and looked forward to a cool respite from the heat.
When I arrived I was excited to see so many restaurants and wineries represented. I quickly realized I needed a plan, but dessert had my full attention. I paused at Poppy Restaurant’s ice cream sundae station, where Poppy’s pastry chef Dana Cree was serving. Although I had not eaten at Poppy, Dana Cree’s desserts are legendary among Seattle’s food community. Her cinnamon-basil ice cream sundae with blackberries, blueberries and a hazelnut streusel was unforgettable — a perfect start to the evening.
After dessert I set out to enjoy the rest of the event. I strolled through the room, sampling savory bites and sipping wines from top Seattle restaurants and Washington wineries. The atmosphere was lively and generous, and it was easy to see the care each chef and vendor had put into their dishes. Below are several of the restaurants and purveyors represented that evening along with photos from the event.
Cellars Restaurant
Library Bistro and Bookstore Bar
Chef Ethan Stowell and Angela Stowell of Anchovies & Olives
Dahlia Lounge
Cafe Campagne
Barrio
Cedargreen Cellars
Theo Chocolate
Tini Bigs
Tulio
Wolfgang Puck Catering
Taste The Nation Seattle
Silent and live auctions benefited Share Our Strength. One notable item was Tom Douglas’s Triple Coconut Pie, which sold for $400.
Throughout the evening it was clear how strongly each chef and restaurateur supported Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. More than 12 million children in the United States are at risk of hunger, and Share Our Strength works with partners, raises funds, and provides education programs that help families prepare healthy, affordable meals. The commitment shown by the culinary community at Taste The Nation reflected that mission.
I’m grateful to Foodbuzz.com for inviting me to cover Taste The Nation and to everyone who participated in making the event memorable and meaningful.