The "Taste of the Nation" event was a huge success!!

300 diners participated in 2008 Taste of the Nation event that benefited the Orange County Food Bank to bring awareness and to raise funds to fight childhood hunger. The event took place at the beautiful and elegant Island Hotel Palm Garden room at Fashion Island, Newport Beach. The event was a tremendous success due to the many sponsors from American Express, Island Hotel, Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel,Open Table, Food Network, Jaguar, The Winery, Sage Blue Fin, Nirvana, Park Avenue, Sapphire Laguna, Sage, Roy's, Blue Coral, Blue Fin, Gyu-Kaku, K'ya, WineStyles, Commerce West Bank, Southern California Gas Company, Wahoo fish taco, Sysco, Sed de Saber, S.Pellegrino and other restaurants and wineries. Donors came from Newport Beach, Palm Springs, and South County Areas.

Community Action Partnership of Orange County thanks Judy Walker, "Share Our Strength's" California State Director for her hard work in putting on this great event.  We also thank Bill Groux from Retention Ed for his tremendous leadership and support from his staff.  Also, we thank the hard work of the organizers: Jennifer Berman, Renee Sperling, Amy Qualls, David Hill, Michael Cho, Michelle Miller, Crispina Renteria, Sherri Dagostin, Heather Werenski, Tammy Hill, Jessa Schimek and Teresa Report.  You people are awesome, creative, beautiful and know how to have fun while helping to put an end to hunger.