Taste of the Nation

Tonight I attended a fundraiser by Taste of the Nation, an organization focused on ending childhood hunger in America.  The event was held at the Luxe in NE Portland and it was packed! Even OR's  governor made an appearance. 50 local restaurants, approximately 20 wineries and several local distilleries were present. Each vendor supplied arrays of tasty treats, drinks and spirits. It truly represented the amazing culinary talents that exist in this town.

Some of my favorite bites were the smoked mussels by Simpatica Dining Hall , rainbow chard mesa dumplings by La Calaca Comelona, smoked meatloaf  with whipped mashed potato by Screendoor, the fava bean salad on thin corn chips from Andina and the coconut saffron sorbet by Fifty Licks.  My favorite non-alcoholic drinks were the Smith Honey Brew  Tea, the Dry Soda lavender being my favorite flavor but rhubarb coming in at close second and the rosemary kombucha produced by Captured By Porches. The best spirit was the Cachaca by Novo Fogo. The spirit is unlike anything I've had before with notes of whiskey, tequila and rum. It's  made from pressed sugar cane in Brazil. This list is a very minor representation of the foods and drinks served.

As I've said before, food is the common denominator among humankind. Tonight it brought the local businesses and community members of Portland together for an important cause, to end childhood hunger. It is an organization worth supporting and an issue that must be exposed and resolved.