Scenes From Taste Of The Nation, Boston

Taste of the Nation is an annual event held in different cities across the country. The event features food and drinks from each city's hottest chefs and mixologists, and all of the proceeds support Share Our Strength in its efforts to end childhood hunger. The event is a truly great cause and a culinary delight, and I was lucky enough to attend this year's Boston event as press (with a complimentary pass).

At 5:30 on Thursday night, I met up with Meghan and Michelle near the Hynes Convention Center, and we headed over to the event together. When we got into the room where Taste was being held, we saw tables set up throughout the entire room and different chefs manning each table. We started at the first table, where we each got a glass of bubbly, and then we wandered around the room with the plan to take pictures and then go back around to sample everything, but sometimes that plan didn't work and we found ourselves juggling Champagne flutes, cameras, and little plates or napkins with some enticing morsel we just couldn't resist!

Here's a glimpse of the event -- the things we saw or tasted and the people we met...

Gougeres with salami, goat cheese, and fig jam from The Blue Room

Raspberry Macarons from Levy Restaurants

Mackerel tartare on yucca chips from Whole Foods

Iggy's Bread

Cupcakes from Glutenus Minimus

Neptune Oyster/Pangea in the VIP lounge

Close-up of the oysters

Homemade chicken sausage, I think from Sel de la Terre

This was sooo incredible, and I completely forgot who made it.

Tuna tartare with mangos from Abby Park

Mac and cheese from Silvertone

Braised short ribs and polenta from Lucca (amazing!)

Gorgeous sugar work and desserts from The Cambridge School Of Culinary Arts

Salt cod on crisp potato with spring vegetable salad from Rialto

Michelle, Meghan, Bianca, and me with Jody Adams

Goat cheese panna cotta with rhubarb foam from L'Espalier
(my favorite dessert of the night)

Asparagus soup from 606 Congress
Chef Garcia actually recognized us and we chatted about our experience making the soup.

Hobnob cookies with PB and homemade plum jam from Craigie on Main

A view of the crowd

We also ran into Tiffani Faison -- you may recognize her from Top Chef

Again, I am so grateful I had the opportunity to attend this event and support the work of Share Our Strength. If you're wondering if there's a Taste of the Nation in a city near you, you can find information about upcoming events on Share Our Strength's website. And don't forget to take the pledge to end childhood hunger while you're there or right on the website.