The American Cancer Society is hosting its 11^th annual Taste of Hope event on Wednesday, May 25^th, 2016 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City. The prominent culinary, wine, and spirits event features some of New York’s most popular restaurants, chefs and beverage vendors. Guests enjoy a walk-around tasting where they can sample trademark dishes, premier wines and spirits, and inventive cocktails. The event will also feature a silent auction where guests can bid on selected items exclusively offered to Taste of Hope.

This year Taste of Hope  will recognize award-winning celebrity chef David Burke as Culinary Honoree. Burke has blurred the lines between chef, artist, entrepreneur and inventor, world-renowned chef David Burke is one of the leading pioneers in American cooking today. Over the years, he has become one of the most recognized chefs on television, and has published two cookbooks, Cooking With David Burke (1999) and David Burke’s New American Classics (2006) co-written by Judith Choate.

Drew Nieporent, Owner of Myriad Restaurant Group, is the Corporate Honoree. Nieporent is the founder of the famed Myriad Restaurant Group. Over the last 30 years, he has opened 36 acclaimed restaurants, including Tribeca Grill, Nobu New York, Nobu Fifty Seven, Nobu London, Nobu Next Door, Citi Field’s Acela Club and Madison Square Garden’s Daily Burger, as well as Crush Wine & Spirits. His latest restaurant, Bâtard, earned three-star ratings from The New York Times and New York Magazine, a coveted Michelin star (2014 and 2015), and the James Beard Foundation award for Best New Restaurant.

Finally the Philanthropic Honoree is Author Jean Shafiroff. Shafiroff is a volunteer fundraiser, leader and spokesperson for several charitable causes; the spectrum of Shafiroff’s philanthropic work includes improving the lives of  under-served populations, women’s rights and well-being, health care, animal welfare and resources for children in need.

Now in its 11^th year, the event is presented annually by the Taste of Hope volunteer committee and has raised over $1.5 Million to support the American Cancer Society’s mission and goal of eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Like previous years, the event is expected to gather around 800 – 1,000 affluent epicureans and philanthropists from the New York Metro area. This year’s event is hosted by event chairs Mark D. Friedman & Jamie Koff and the 2016 Taste of Hope Volunteer Committee.

The event offers VIP tickets for $275 per ticket and General Admission tickets for $200 per ticket. Guests also have an option to purchase a VIP table of ten people for $3,000 or a VIP table of five for $1,500. For those with VIP tickets, the event starts at 6:00pm, while those with general admission tickets are welcome from 7:00pm onwards.

Restaurant and beverage participants include AG Kitchen, Almond, BLT Prime, Calle Ocho, Fresco By Scotto, La Fonda Del Sol, Luke’s Lobster, Magnolia Bakery, Nobu New York, Rock Center Café, STK Downtown, Telepan, Todd English, Triomphe, Voilà Chocolat and many more. Approximately 50 participating restaurants and beverage sponsors will be represented at the event.

Corporate sponsors of the event are Allstate, Don Q Rum, Eurostruct Inc, Freshdirect, Gentle Giant, Halstead Property, Sabert, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, UHY LLP, Umenoyado, Vinitaly International and Wine Spectator.

For more information visit www.tasteofhopenyc.org