Celebrating 17 years of tackling hunger for Northeast Ohio families, Taste of the Browns returns to FirstEnergy Stadium on Monday, September 21. The event is the major annual fundraiser for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, the region's largest hunger relief organization. With the more than $190,000 raised at the 2014 event, the Food Bank was able to distribute more than 760,000 meals to agencies in six counties.
The Cleveland Browns and Northeast Ohio's most talented and well-known chefs will work together to raise awareness and funds for hungry families, all while celebrating Cleveland's unique and acclaimed culinary talents.
"We are excited to partner again with the Cleveland Browns to tackle hunger in Northeast Ohio at the 17th annual Taste of the Browns," said Kristin Warzocha, president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. "Every year this event celebrates our city's love of its football team, showcases our unique culinary talents and highlights the generosity of the community, all while raising the funds that will provide hundreds of thousands of meals to hungry Northeast Ohioans."
This year's fundraiser will feature more than 25 of the region's finest restaurants and chefs, such as Jonathan Sawyer (The Greenhouse Tavern, Trentina); Rocco Whalen (Fahrenheit, Rosie and Rocco's); Eric Williams (Momocho and El Carnicero); Sam McNulty (The Market Garden Brewery); Michael Thompson and Odell Boone (Pickwick & Frolic) and more. Honorary event co-chairs are Cleveland Browns Two-Time Pro Bowl CB Joe Haden and former Browns Linebacker and current Judge of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Dick Ambrose.
In addition to sampling the city's best cuisines and mingling with Cleveland Browns alumni and current players, attendees can bid on silent auction items to benefit the Food Bank. A few highlights of this year's auction items include:
- Joe Haden "favorite things" gift basket
- Autographed Isaiah Crowell authentic football
- Autographed Joe Thomas replica jersey
- Browns Premier Game Day Experience with four tickets for the September 27 game that includes press box visit, draft room passes - includes all-inclusive food and drinks, including beer and wine - and a parking pass.
- One hour in-studio photo shoot from The James Douglas Studio
- Two roundtrip vouchers for Southwest Airlines
- Four Park Hopper passes for Walt Disney World
- Signed copy of Hot in Cleveland script signed by Betty White, Jane Leeves and Valerie Bertinelli
In addition to the silent auction, guests can participate in a wine pull throughout the duration of the event. For $20 attendees can purchase a wine cork which can be exchanged for a bottle of wine. Value, brands and type of wine will vary. Selections will be random.
The event will be held in the newly-renovated Club Lounge at FirstEnergy Stadium. General admission tickets are available for $175 ($75.00 of which is tax-deductible) or VIP tickets are available for $250 ($150 of which is tax-deductible). All proceeds benefit the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Access to the VIP Lounge will include exclusive tastings, access to Cleveland Browns celebrities and a personalized listing in the scrolling Thank You video played during the event.
For more information or to order tickets, call (216) 738-2046 or visit www.GreaterClevelandFoodBank.org/Taste. A full list of participating restaurants can be found here.
About the Greater Cleveland Food Bank
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio, providing 45 million meals in 2014 to hungry people in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Ashland and Richland counties. Our mission is to ensure that everyone in our communities has the nutritious food they need every day. We do this through both food distribution and SNAP outreach efforts. The best and easiest way to help is to go online: visit us at www.GreaterClevelandFoodBank.org. The general public can help by making a monetary donation. For every dollar donated, the Food Bank can provide enough food for four nutritious meals.
About Taste of the NFL
Taste of the NFL is a national charity event that occurs each year on the eve of the Super Bowl in the Super Bowl host city. Created by Minneapolis-based restaurateur Wayne Kostroski at the 1992 Super Bowl, the national Taste of the NFL has raised more than $6.8 million for hunger relief organizations throughout the United States. Kostroski hopes that every NFL city hosts a similar event to raise awareness and more dollars for hunger relief.
Cleveland hosted its first local Taste of the NFL in 1999, coinciding with the return of the Cleveland Browns. In addition to Cleveland, at least seven other NFL teams and the Pro Football Hall of Fame host their own local Taste of the NFL. The event name was modified in 2010 among participating NFL teams in 2010 to reflect respective clubs and cities.
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is a proud partner of the Browns First and Ten movement to inspire fans to pledge to give at least 10 hours of community service in the next year! You can be part of First and Ten and take the pledge today.
Follow @BrownsGiveBack on Twitter and Instagram to get inspired – share your stories of how you are making a difference in the community using #give10
