Eating for a Good Cause

This week I had the privilege to take my wife to the 17th Annual Taste of the Nation Charlotte which is part of Share our Strength. Thanks to CLT dining for informing me about this event. This event featured over 20 area restaurants. They shared their food and time to help those less fortunate be able to have food. All the proceeds went to a couple local organizations, Second Harvest Food Bank and Community Culinary School of Charlotte.

American Express, Sysco and the Food Network are the national sponsors of this event and there are a host of local sponsors. This is the list of local restaurants who participated. Each brought a small sample of their food for the participants to try.

Amelie's French Bakery American Roadside Burgers Brixx Wood Fired Pizza Central Piedmont Community College Chima Brazilian Steakhouse e2 emeril's eatery Electrolux Professional Enso Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar Fern Restaurant Flatiron Kitchen & Taphouse Gallery at Ballantyne Hotel Georges Brasserie Halcyon Johnson & Wales University

Mama Ricotta's Mert's Heart and Soul Mimosa Grill Queen City Q Rocky River Grille at Embassy Suites Concord Savannah Red at Marriott City Center The Westin Charlotte - Ember Grille Upstream Vida Cantina Village Tavern Vivace Whole Foods Wolfgang Puck's Pizza Bar Zink American Kitchen

Here are some photos of the event and the food. 

A selection of cheese.

Making sushi.

Jack Daniels, 'nuff said.

The Bacardi table.

Boone of Queen City Q making deviled eggs. 

BBQ pork in a baked potato over a purée of smoked vegetables.

Scallops.

Braised fatback over collards.

Sashimi. Soooooo good.

It was made by the folks at the culinary school.

Johnson and Wales serving up more food.

Yummy summer rolls.

Sliders from the American Roadside.

Braised pork cheek from e2 emeril's eatery.

A chocolate sculpture.

Another chocolate sculpture.

A detail of the chocolate sculpture.

lobster cakes on a bed of brown sugar.

Bacon wrapped shrimp

Yummy kabobs.

The band.

The dessert table has been well picked over.

If you ever get a chance to go to a Taste of the Nation event, DO! I highly recommend it. It is great fun and great food. You get to learn about your local eateries and help a good cause at the same time.