Taste of Carmel returns this year with its 22nd annual fundraiser on Friday, March 7.
Hosted by the Carmel Education Foundation (CEF), Taste of Carmel raises money for initiatives that benefit Carmel Clay students in the coming year. Prepare to be delighted and come dressed in your best platform shoes for this year’s Dine at the Disco theme.
The event will take place at the 502 East Event Centre in Carmel. The event offers samplings of local flavors and guests are invited to peruse and taste as much as they like.
“This event will have more than 1,200 guests, all aged 21 or above,” says Stacey Hetrick, program manager with the CEF. “It is a great way to not only taste new foods, but also enjoy favorites from past years.”
Tickets are available in three tiers, ranging in price from general admission for $75 to VIP admission for $175, and a reserved table for 10 at $1,300.
“Reserved tables are limited and popular, and they tend to sell out early,” says Hetrick. “Early-bird pricing ends January 12. The VIP party is popular because of a featured chef and full-pour cocktails.”
This year’s lineup includes culinary sensations from Monterey Coastal Cuisine, Bier Brewery, Convivio, 1933 Lounge, Yats, and Aroma Experience, along with a wide array of other popular local eateries, wineries and breweries. A silent auction will also feature a fun selection of items.
“Our robust silent auction will include unique items such as family outings, trips, gift baskets, jewelry and so much more,” says Hetrick. “A popular item will be two premier tickets to an Indiana Fever game on July 12.”
VIP members can expect early entrance, and also access to premier silent-auction items.
“The VIP party will also include an exclusive raffle item from Indy Facets,” says Hetrick. “The silent auction will go live in February and is presented by Fanning Howey. Items included in the auction range from in-home wine tastings to gift baskets, a Cincinnati Zoo experience, other local experiences and one-of-a-kind getaways.”
Proceeds raised during the event will allow the CEF to invest in students, teachers and district-wide programming. The group focuses on classroom and real-world readiness, funding efforts such as diverse reading material and a hands-on water study within the community. The CEF has targeted some additional student initiatives they are hoping to fund this year.
“We are growing our Achieve Initiative, which is a focus on preparing students for real-world readiness,” says Hetrick. “We would like to raise enough funds to ensure that we can fund every fifth-grader to attend JA BizTown, expand our speakers series, which partners local business leaders with students in middle and high school, and to expand our Rise and Grow program to provide education resources focused on health and wellness to our students, families and community.”
Local vendors and sponsors are still needed, but space is limited and expected to be filled by the end of January or early February. All interested parties and those wanting to purchase tickets should visit tasteofcarmelindiana.com for more information.
