Food Tasting Event Benefits the Hungry

Let them eat . . . well . . . everything.

Some 75 Los Angeles-area chefs will whip up tapas, Chinese food, cheesecake, ice cream, espresso, sausage and much, much more at the ninth annual Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation Los Angeles smorgasbord and fund-raiser Saturday night at Universal Studios Hollywood.

The event is part of a circuit of Share Our Strength events taking place nationwide, with 100% of the proceeds going to hunger-relief programs.

In addition to food, wine and spirits from the Authentic Cafe, Bristol Farms Cooking School, Cha Cha Cha Cafe and Restaurant, Mi Piace and others, the event includes continuous live music from the House of Blues, unlimited access to Back to the Future--The Ride and a silent auction for trips and walk-on appearances on popular sitcoms.

“While you’re having a blast at this party, you will also know that 100%, which is rare for a fund-raising event, 100% will benefit . . . hunger-relief organizations,” said Dorothea Scattaglia, community relations director for Universal Studios Hollywood.

Last year’s Los Angeles event raised almost $90,000, she said. This year organizers hope to more than double that.

Most of the proceeds--70%--go to local organizations, including the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, L.A. Family Housing Corp.’s Valley shelter, the Santa Monica/Malibu Meals on Wheels, the Southern California Interfaith Hunger Coalition and St. Joseph Center. The remaining 30% goes to national and international hunger-relief programs.

The event takes place at the “Streets of the World” area of Universal Studios.

Tickets cost $60 each in advance or $75 the day of the event and include food, drink and entertainment between 7:30 p.m. and midnight. Call (800) 955-TASTE to purchase tickets by credit card, or call (310) 288-3663 for information.