Taste of the Nation, held from 7 to 10 p.m. next Wednesday, is a browse-about sort of party, with guests strolling from station to station. That makes it easy to attend even by yourself. The proceeds go to hunger-fighting agencies, among them Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Amos House, the Wiley Center and Operation Frontline. There's also music for dancing. Chairs are Guy Abelson, Ellen Loconto, Howard and Kim Sutton, Dean and Felice Holt, Ken and Ellen Steingold and Robert Stoico.
Guests are welcome.
The winemaker will provide commentary during chef Chris Phillips's five-course dinner of oyster stew, seafood ceviche, tenderloin of beef and rack of lamb. A Vintage Wine representative will speak. Yet the concept of homestyle food to go is good. Starziano, a graduate of La Varenne in Paris, has worked as a chef in California, at the South Shore Grille in Wakefield and most recently was executive sous chef at Castle Hill Inn and Resort in Newport. She teaches at Rhode Island School of Design's evening culinary series.