By Liz Balmaseda   |  Dining  |  April 06, 2011
Palm Beach Pulse

It’s always a good culinary event when chef Zach Bell (Café Boulud) is involved. It’s even better when the event raises money to fight childhood hunger. Taste of the Nation Palm Beach, which comes to the Kravis Center next Wednesday night is such an occasion.

The food and wine extravaganza is part of the Share Our Strength national campaign which has raised some $80 million to secure nutritious meals for America’s needy children.

Bell, the community-minded, James Beard Award nominee, is the event’s chef chair. He’ll wage a throwdown against fellow nominee, Dean Max (3800 Ocean). The local star chefs will be in terrific company — event participants include chefs from 32 East, Café Chardonnay, Echo at The Breakers, Gratify, Kubo, Michelle Bernstein’s at the Omphoy, among many others.

Here’s the best part: 100 percent of ticket sales goes to the cause of ending childhood hunger.

Tickets are available at www.tasteofthenation.org, priced at $80 for general admission to $125 for VIP (they’re $100 to $150 at the door). The grand tasting goes from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach.