Culver City Event Spotlights Great Food
from LA’s Top Restaurants on June 25, 2006

Los Angeles (June, 2006) – Share our Strength Los Angeles (www.lataste.org) announces that the 19th annual Taste of the Nation Los Angeles will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2006, between 1 and 5 pm. The event, which raises money for organizations working to end hunger in the Los Angeles area, will take place at the beautiful and spacious Media Park (corner of Venice and Culver boulevards) and features spectacular food from some of the very best chefs in the community. Taste of the Nation Los Angeles is presented by national sponsors American Express and Jenn Air®, and locally by Culver City and the Actors’ Gang.

Guests are treated to an astounding and delicious array of signature dishes that keep Los Angeles on the forefront of the world’s exciting culinary trends. Among the chefs featured at the tasting event are Suzanne Tracht (Jar), Benjamin Ford (Ford’s Filling Station), Josie Le Balch (Josie), Govind Armstrong (Table 8), Robert Gadsby (Noé), Norbert Wabnig (The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills), Jack Melson (Lincoln Steakhouse), Christophe Eme (Ortolan), Piero Selvaggio (Valentino), Salvatore Marino (Il Grano), Ludovic Lefebvre (Bastide) and Neal Fraser (Grace).

In addition to showcasing cuisine from Los Angeles’ best restaurants, more than fifteen wineries and beverage purveyors pour samples of their premium vintages and cocktails. There is also an exciting lineup of live music and entertainment, including a Chefs’ Challenge Cook-Off between Ben Ford (Ford’s Filling Station) and Neal Fraser (Grace), a silent auction of travel, entertainment, dining and wine experiences; and children’s activities from Chefmakers Cooking Academy.

Throughout the day there will be live performances by Mike Stinson band. His “vibrant take on old school honky-tonk music has made him perhaps the leading L.A. light of the moment” says Billboard Magazine. With a fan list that includes Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, and Willie Nelson, Mike Stinson’s music is a fabulous addition to the already packed roster, and a chance for guests to discover “one of Los Angeles’ best-kept musical secrets” (Los Angeles Times).

Last year’s event drew almost 1000 guests and raised nearly $100,000. 100 percent of ticket proceeds go directly to anti-hunger and anti-poverty efforts in the community. Among the beneficiaries are the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank, Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness, St. Joseph Center, The Chrysalis Center, and the California Food Policy Advocates.

Advance ticket prices are $85 for adults and $25 for children 6-12 (when accompanied by a paying adult). Tickets at the door will be $95. Special VIP packages are also available: Gold tickets are $150 per person and allow ticket-bearer early access to the event, a preview of the silent auction, access to the exclusive Beefeater VIP Lounge, and a special goodie bag. Platinum tickets are $300 per person and include Gold-ticket benefits plus tickets to the Actors Gang Theatre and a future Prix Fixe dinner at Ford’s Filling Station.
For ticket information, call 877-268-2783 or visit www.lataste.org.

Taste of the Nation Los Angeles 2006 is co-chaired by restaurateurs Mary Sue Milliken (Border Grill, Ciudad) and Laurence Whiting (Bon Appetit at the Getty Villa) and food and travel writer Kevin Schoeler.

About Taste of the Nation
Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation is the nation’s preeminent culinary benefit supporting the fight to end hunger. Every spring, thousands of leaders donate their time and talents at more than 60 events throughout the United States and Canada. The events, which include food and wine tastings, seated dinners, brunches, and barbeques, raise both funds for and awareness of anti-hunger efforts. Each year, Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation attracts more than 55,000 guests. -more- National sponsorships of Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation, combined with local sponsorships and contributions from participating restaurants, chefs, and volunteers, ensure that 100 percent of ticket proceeds from each event support anti-hunger efforts. With funds raised through Taste of the Nation, Share Our Strength awards grants to the most effective anti-hunger, anti-poverty organizations on the local, state, national and international level. Since 1988, Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation has raised more than $55 million, providing support to more than 450 groups working to end hunger and poverty.