More than 50 top chefs from the Atlanta area will participate in Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Atlanta on Thursday, April 14, at the Georgia Aquarium. Celebrating its 23rd anniversary, this gourmet food and wine event will feature specialty food samplings; live, silent and beverage auctions; wine tastings and live entertainment. Tickets can be purchased online at www.atlantataste.org or by calling (770) 436-5151.

This year, Share Our Strength will honor Atlanta’s Five-Star Taste of the Nation Chefs, those who have supported and participated in the Atlanta event for more than 10 years. These chefs include Jamie Adams, Gary Donlick, Robert Holley, Pano I. Karatassos, Gerry Klaskala, Gary Mennie, Nan Niyomkul, Kevin Rathbun, Joey Riley, Scott Serpas, Jay Swift, Hilary White and Ian Winslade.

Additionally, Danny Meyer, CEO of New York City-based Union Square Hospitality Group, will join event co-chairs Pano Karatassos, founder of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, and George McKerrow, co-founder and CEO of Ted’s Montana Grill, as the event’s honorary chairperson.

Applauded as the first-ever culinary benefit in the nation, Taste of the Nation is a model for successful fundraisers throughout the country. One of nearly 40 Taste of the Nation events held across the country, the Atlanta event has raised more than $6 million since 1989 and continues to make a significant contribution to Share Our Strength’s work ending childhood hunger in America.

Hunger is widespread in Georgia, with 19.7 percent of Georgians living in poverty. In Fulton County alone, the poverty rate rose to 25 percent. One hundred percent of net proceeds from Taste of the Nation Atlanta will help fund Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign to end chidhood hunger in America and, as part of that campaign, continue supporting local organizations such as the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Genesis, A New Life and Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters™ Georgia (formerly Operation Frontline Georgia).