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On Twitter:  @TOTNLA

See ya there!

Thank you to all of the new committee volunteers for 2010’s Taste of the Nation: Los Angeles!  We are looking forward to another amazing event in June.  Stay tuned!

It’s hard to find words to express our thanks and appreciation to everyone who participated in our SOS Taste of the Nation Los Angeles event, this past weekend.  They say it takes a village to raise a child, and so too, it takes a village to make this very special event successful.

•    It couldn’t be done without our Chefs, participating restaurants, and beverage specialists.  You all know, they put their heart and soul into this.  This is no ordinary tasting.

•    And our sponsors who generously and without hesitation make this financially possible by supporting the restaurants and the event, not only with cash donations, but with unprecedented in-kind support and unbelievable auction donations.  A huge thanks too to Culver City, our host city and co-sponsors; the event would not be possible without them.

•    Our guests, who seek us out, look forward to the event each year, and with enthusiasm buy tickets, bring friends, bid on auction items, and share their excitement that ensures everyone has fun.

•    And, to our volunteers and planning committee, nearly 200 strong, that attend to every detail, beginning ten months before the event, and unselfishly give endless hours of their efforts, energy, and minds to pull this all together.

Our event is about a community of people, all connected by common interest and a desire to ensure “no kid hungry.”  In our times, we believe this is possible, if we all share our strengths.  Again, we thank you for sharing yours, and joining us in this incredible effort, and making Taste of the Nation this year, a memorable and important day.

Most appreciatively and humbly,

Daryl Ansel
Mary Sue Milliken
Elissa Phillips

If you have not bought your tickets, it’s not too late – you can simply buy them at the door.

We have an incredible day lined up:

Cooking Demos from Michael Mina, Mary Sue Milikin and Susan Feniger

Cookbooks Signings from MARIEL HEMINGWAY, and MICHEL MINA

Mole Cookoff with JONATHAN GOLD (He will also have his ASK Jonathan Booth)

THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STARS, LA Finalists, Debbie Lee, Eddie Gilbert and Jeffry Saad will be interview chefs live at the event.

Incredible LIVE and SILENT Auction Items.

AND………. 50 amazing restaurants and beverages to sample and savor.

Come join ius and help ensure NO KID HUNGRY in LA.

We look forward to seeing you….. FROM: The entire Taste of the Nation Committee

Donated by: Academy of Country Music and Live Nation
Value: Priceless
Starting Bid: $1000

Autographed acoustic guitar (signed by country’s hottest stars including Carrie Underwood (of American Idol Fame), Blake Shelton, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Craig Morgan and Chris Young
44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards Show Program,
Bottle of Crown Royal
After Party Gift Bag including Purpose skincare products,
Academy merchandise
Case of Coors Light,
ACM Celebrity Golf Tournament bag

PLUS 8 lawn tickets to see Toby Keith on Aug. 15 at the San Manual Amphitheatre.

GETTLOVE is dedicated to responding to the homeless as individuals whose humanity should be acknowledged and whose suffering should be relieved.  We believe that the homeless are not simply “in” our community but are actually a part of our community.

Unlike most organizations providing goods and services to the homeless, GETTLOVE goes to where the homeless can be found in a coordinated but random patter of distributions designed to personally and individually connect with those living on the streets, gathered at existing service sites and encamped in secluded areas.

GETTLOVE is committed to bringing loving, personal and individual recognition and communication to each individual we encounter in our daily distributions.  We believe this interaction will reduce the desperation, loneliness and alienation so often fostered by ostracism and neglect and in turn produce greater harmony between the homeless and the rest of the community through an experience of acknowledgment, love and communication.

GETTLOVE recognizes its efforts will not solve the complex causes of homelessness and is not designed to do so.  However, the spontaneous hand-to-hand and face-to-face distributions are intended to…
…acknowledge each individual as a human being
…demonstrate to those who may have lost hope that others do care
…re-affirm that we are all part of the human family
…bring some momentary relief to the daily suffering endured by so many
…show love to every human being regardless of their circumstances

“ Gettlove, a non profit providing food for the homeless in Hollywood, is excited to join Rivera Restaurant in Taste of the Nation’s ongoing campaign to prevent hunger in America’s most vulnerable communities.” says John Ladner of Gettlove,

As an exclusive offering in the VIP tent, MOONSHADOWS will serve a Three Part Hors d’oeuvre which includes Butter Poached Lobster Medallions and American Sturgeon Caviar, Sweet Maine Lobster Gelee, and Truffled Cauliflower Panna Cotta.

Catch them in the general admission area as well, where they will serve Spicy Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Tartare with Marinated Seaweed and an Avocado Puree as well as a “White Mexican Shrimp Cocktail.”

EAT: Los Angeles

The Food Lover’s Guide to Los Angeles:

L.A. is one of the world’s great food cities, and here’s the proof. A bestseller within days of being published, EAT: Los Angeles is the first book to celebrate everything an L.A. food lover needs to know. A team of expert culinary journalists shares the Why, What and Who on more than 1,000 of their favorite places: restaurants, of course, but also caterers, ethnic markets, gourmet-to-go, breakfast cafes, taco trucks, kitchen supply, wine shops, bakeries, burger joints, farmers’ markets, food festivals, ramen houses, butchers, coffeehouses, tea parlors, gelaterias, pubs, chocolatiers and much more. The geographic range is as broad as the culinary scope—the book covers all of L.A. County, from Long Beach to La Canada.

EAT: Los Angeles won immediate acclaim from Los Angeles magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Westways, KPCC, KCRW and a host of blogs, papers and retailers.

Well this year at Taste of the Nation LA – you can. The Premium Spanish Fritter will be available in the VIP Lounge.