We are One Tasty Nation

There you go. Proof that:

a) Taste of the Nation 2011 was super fun

b) Lucas and I may have been a little sugared up after hitting the dessert station one too many times 

c) Without instructions, I am at a loss

You see, Lucas and I waited in a long line to get that photobooth picture taken, but the attendant was distracted and failed to tell us that we had to wait for the flash to actually go off before switching poses. So what we got was a series of transitions, instead of the cute shots we intended. Oops.

It was truly the only disappointment in what has become our favorite annual event — so many kudos to the fabulous planners, vendors and volunteers!

Lucas and I joined the team of other fine bloggers who got special VIP access before and during the event (we did buy our tickets and helped promote the event — it’s all for the kids!).

And we also got to hang out with some friends (first-timers to the event!)

For Lucas, I think the all-you-can-eat meats were his favorites:

And I’m sure you’ll read more about his Ravenous Pig picks in his own post.

For me there were a few savory standouts, including a vanilla-infused beet with apricot compote and baked beans:

(Julie liked that, too — although hers came with pork belly that I asked them to leave off.)

But really, it was about the desserts:

And the drinks.

More desserts.

And some freeze-dried ice cream theatrics as a finale.

We ate until I got heartburn, watched wistfully as the silent auction went WAY over our budgets, met some great chefs and in the end, supported a LOT of great causes.

Check it, yo:

• $167,000 raised to fight childhood hunger
• Supported local beneficiaries including the Coalition for the Homeless and the Second Harvest Food Bank
• Nearly 2,000 attendees
• 36 restaurants

And my favorite part? In order to ensure that 100% of all ticket sales went to the cause, all of the food, the auction items, entertainment, venue space, printing, etc. were donated.

AMAZING!

This was my fourth TOTN event and the third that I had the pleasure of blogging about:

• Eating Around the Nation in High Heels
• Making a Delicious Difference

And I am already counting down to TOTN 2012.

OK, your turn.

If you had to pick only ONE dessert to eat for the rest of your life — what would it be?

My pick? Tiramisu…yes, you sweet thing, get in my belly.

P.S. These events are held all over the country and the money raised stays LOCAL. So I encourage you to look up local events here (as well as find ways to support other projects that work to end childhood hunger).