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• Taste of the Nation

  Fine dining and tasting events that help make sure no kid in America grows up hungry.

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• Great American Bake Sale

  A national campaign that mobilizes Americans to end childhood hunger by holding bake sales in their communities.

  Learn More »

• Great American Dine Out

  When you eat; they eat. Join us September 20-26, 2009 for the 2nd annual Great American Dine Out! Learn how you can get involved.

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• A Tasteful Pursuit

  A national touring dinner series that features the nation's top chefs taking their talents to the nation’s top culinary cities.

  Learn More »

• Operation Frontline

  A groundbreaking cooking-based nutrition education program that teaches families how to prepare healthy, tasty meals on a limited budget.

  Learn More »

Taste of the Nation

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• Meet the Committee
• Participating Mixologists
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Meet the Committee

Meet the Taste of the Nation Committee

The 2010 Taste of the Nation Committee is made up of innovative, well-respected leaders from the culinary, business and nonprofit worlds.

Our Chair

Chef Mindy Segal

HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Lounge

Our Co-Chair

R.J. Melman

Hub 51/R.J. Grunts/Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises

Our Committee

John Abels

National Restaurant Association
Marketing

Bridget Albert

Director of Mixology, Southern Wine and Spirits
Beverage Chair

Johnny Auer

President, jamco new media, inc.
Social Media, Marketing and PR

Cara Baiocchi

Account Manager, Talent Intelligence
Volunteer Chair

Jenny Bernstein

Attorney, Fischel and Kahn
VIP Co-Chair

Krista Bryski

Chicago Park District
Operations

Chrissy Cox

Account Supervisor, Wagstaff Worldwide
Public Relations Chair

Jason Cox

Associate Director, Andersonville Chamber of Commerce
Auction Co-Chair

Andrew Ettenhofer

Director of Sales, Fig Media Inc.
Operations

Joel Hassler

General Manager, Rasmussen Diamonds
Auction

Heidi Hedeker

Chef Instructor, Kendall College
Healthy Kids Cook Off Chair

Matt Kirouac

News Manager, Restaurant Intelligence Agency
Social Media, Marketing and PR

Jordan Kirshenbaum

President, Prime Time Marketing
Marketing

Christopher Koetke

Dean, Kendall College
Restaurant/Chef

Michael Kornick

Chef/Owner, mk the restaurant
VIP Co-Chair/Restaurant/Chef

Jenn Miklos Kovacs

Director of Development, National Restaurant Association Education Foundation
Marketing and PR

Erica Bethe Levin

Founder/Editor-in-Chief, Cheekychicago.com
Marketing and PR

Lauren Liebovich

Operations Director, Restaurant Intelligence Agency
Operations Chair/Restaurant Co-Chair

Melissa Manzanett

Ticket Sales

Doug Marello

Tenzing Wine and Spirits Company
Wine Chair

Kristin Meyer

Principal, Capitol Commercial Real Estate
Auction Co-Chair

John Meyer

Principal, Capitol Commercial Real Estate
Auction

Elissa Narow

Pastry Chef, Sweet and Naro
Chef Chair

Nicole Negrette

Hub 51/RJ Grunts/Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
Operations

Jennifer Paulson

Sprouts Acadmey
Healthy Kids Cook Off Co-Chair

Debbi Peek

Mixologist, Bacardi USA
Beverage Co-Chair

Ben Smock

President, Toque and Bottle Advisory
Finance Chair, Operations

Chuck Sudo

Food Editor, Chicagoist.com
Hunger Messaging Chair

Nicole Thurman

Nestle Waters North America
Ticket Sales Chair

Stacy Tsihlopolous

Coordinator, Community Relations, Chicago White Sox
Auction

Erica Williams

Food and Beverage Manager, Four Points Sheraton
Ticket Sales

For Share Our Strength

Anna Batcke

Midwest Field Manager

Share Our Strength

TASTE OF THE NATION

Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation^® is the nation’s premier culinary benefit dedicated to making sure no kid grows up hungry. Each spring and summer, the nation’s hottest chefs and mixologists donate their time, talent and passion at nearly 40 events across the United States and Canada, with one goal in mind: to raise the critical funds needed to end childhood hunger.

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