The Kidney Foundation of Greater Chattanooga is serving up a new Taste this year.
The agency benefit Taste -- An Evening of Flavors, scheduled Thursday at Warehouse Row, replaces A Taste of Chattanooga, which had been held for 23 years.
"What we wanted to do," said Kidney Foundation Executive Director Jennifer McGlohon, "is have an event, a wonderful signature piece for the city. We wanted a new image, a new flair for the event."
Taste, like its predecessor, will allow participants to sample food from about 20 restaurants, she said. But it also will feature drinks, live music and a live, head-to-head competition between five chefs: Aaron Long of Market Street Tavern, John Lopopolo of Mount Vernon, John Palacio of Porter's Steakhouse, Blackwell Smith of Blacksmith's and James Wade of 212 Market.
Similar to television's "Food Network Challenge," it tasks each chef to create a main dish using a secret ingredient announced at the beginning of the competition and provided by Greenlife/Whole Foods.
The restaurants providing samples for Taste include "a handful of seasoned veterans," McGlohon said, but for the most part are new to the Kidney Foundation event.
"We wanted to focus on restaurants that are tried-and-true and significant," she said. "These are some of the better [places] Chattanooga has to offer."
Participants can partake of unlimited samplings from the restaurants, enjoy one free drink (beer, wine or nonalcoholic beverage) and take home a souvenir wine glass. A cash bar will be available.
McGlohon said previous Taste of Chattanooga events raised between $10,000 and $20,000 per year. She said 100 percent of funds raised at the benefit, which is offered this year with the help of Chattanooga Presents, go back into patient assistance and education programs.
Contact Clint Cooper at ccooper@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6497.
IF YOU GO
* What: Taste -- An Evening of Flavors.
* When: 5-10 p.m. Thursday.
* Where: Warehouse Row, 1110 Market St.
* Admission: $30 in advance, $35 at door; free for children 1 and younger.
* Phone: 267-1127.
* Website: www.TasteChatt.com.
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
* The Big Table
* Blacksmith's Bistro
* Bluewater Grill
* Country Life Vegetarian
* The Curry Pot
* Greenlife Grocery
* Hair of the Dog
* The Honest Pint
* Joe Friday's
* La Altena
* Link 41
* Market Street Tavern
* Mount Vernon
* Petunia's Silver Jalapeno
* Pizza Cha Cha
* Porter's Steakhouse
* Sushi Nabe
* Sweet Basil
* Terminal Brewhouse
* Velo Coffee