A TASTE OF THE NATION

Culinary-for-charity, grand tasting in West Palm a must for foodies.

When the top chefs in the county gather in one place, the heat map lights up like a brûlée torch. We can expect this to happen in a few weeks when Taste of the Nation returns to the Kravis Center.

The grand tasting night, which takes place April 5, is the largest culinary-for-charity event of the year, featuring nearly 50 area chefs, plus beverage pros. The cause: to support the national No Kid Hungry drive to connect families with food and nutrition sources.

At last year’s sold-out event, more than 600 people helped raise some $100,000 for the cause. Organizers say that translates to one million meals for the needy.

Here’s what you need to know about Taste of the Nation:

The food stations are plentiful and usually staffed by the restaurants’ top chefs. This year’s chef leaders for the event include James Beard Award semifinalists Clay Conley (Buccan/ Grato) and Lindsay Autry (The Regional). They are joined by chefs Julien Gremaud (Avocado Grill), Zach Bell (Addison Reserve) and Tim Lipman (Coolinary Café/ Parched Pig) – all will have dishes of their own to present that night.

Master sommelier and local wine shop and academy owner Virginia Philip will select the evening’s wines.

There’s a cocktail contest this month called The Shake Up leading up to the event. At the Kravis grand tasting, the winning bartenders will be pouring their boozy creations.

The food and drink pros involved donate their time and food – 100 percent of the night’s proceeds benefit the No Kid Hungry campaign.

JENNIFER PODIS / THE PALM BEACH POST Chef Tim Lipman and his wife, Jenny, of Coolinary Cafe and Parched Pig at their food station at Taste of the Nation last year. Lipman returns to the Kravis Center for the event next month as part of the lineup of participating chefs to present dishes.