JUN 14: CHEFS GET COOKING IN PREPARATION FOR TASTE OF THE NATION, ONE OF LA'S BEST CULINARY BENEFITS

21st Annual Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® Los Angeles, Presented by American Express ®, takes place this Sunday in Media Park, Culver City

Featured Event Listing, posted by Don Rose

WHO: Los Angeles’ hottest chefs and restaurants including: Jose Andres of the four-star The Bazaar at SLS, Mary Sue Milliken of Border Grill and Ciudad; XIV’s Michael Mina; Fred Eric of Tiara Café; Ben Ford of Ford’s Filling Station, Erin Eastland of Cube Café and Marketplace, Animal’s Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (recently named two of the best new chefs in the country by Food & Wine), Grace and BLD’s Neal Fraser (of Iron Chef fame) along with over 40 more including Locanda Del Lago, Fig, Akasha, Angeli Café, Gjelina, Church & State.

WHAT: Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Los Angeles is an annual food and wine event that raises the critical funds needed to support the national organization’s efforts to end childhood hunger in Los Angeles and across America. Guests will enjoy the city’s best cuisine paired with a myriad of wines and other beverages.

HIGHLIGHTS: On-stage cooking demonstrations by Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger and Michael Mina of XIV; a “Mole Cookoff” hosted by food critic Jonathan Gold; special appearances by Food Network TV personalities; a VIP area and exciting live and silent auctions. Chef Nancy Silverton of Mozza will be honoured at the event for her outstanding contributions to nutritional education and philanthropy.

WHY: Taste of the Nation brings together L.A.’s brightest culinary stars to ensure no kid goes hungry. According to the L.A. County Children’s Planning Council, 25%, or 1 out of every 4, children in L.A. County 17 years and under are living in poverty (640,000). Furthermore, over 4,000 children 5 years old and under are homeless on any given night. If they are living in poverty or homeless, they are going hungry.

WHERE: Culver City’s Media Park

WHEN: Sunday, June 14th, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

TICKETS: General Admission in advance, $125, General Admission day of $125; $175 for VIP in advance $175, VIP day of $185; purchase by calling 1-877-26-Taste or visiting www.tasteofthenationla.org.

TIMELINE OF KEY ACTIVITIES:

1:00-4:00 P.M. Book signings by Evan Kleiman, Mariel Hemingway, Nancy Silverton, Michael Mina and JoAnn Cianciulli

2:00-3:00 P.M. Chef demos featuring Chef Michael Mina of XIV; Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger (Border Grill, Cuidad)

3:15-3:30 P.M. Pulitzer prize winning food critic and Los Angeles Weekly’s Jonathan Gold announces Mole Off competition which will name the best Mole in Los Angeles

3:30 P.M. Waiter Races!