Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. Taste of Heritage

The National Black College Alumni (NBCA) Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is proud to present the 18th Annual Thomas W. Dortch, Jr.(TWD,Jr.) Taste of Heritage Gala, formerly the Chefs of the World event. We find ourselves in a moment of transformative reflection and reimagined greatness during an evening of culinary excellence and philanthropy set to take place at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Under the esteemed co-chairmanship of Ambassador Andrew Young and Tim Mapes of Delta Air Lines and with Karyn Greer of WSB-TV as our emcee, this event is set to be a landmark occasion. Discover more about our distinguished co-chairs, Ambassador Andrew Young and Tim Mapes, and their significant contributions at https://tasteofheritage.givesmart.com.

Six James Beard award-winning, nominated and renowned African American chefs will grace the kitchen, including Edgar "Dook" Chase, Shenarri Freeman, Edouardo Jordan, Vallery Lomas, Idris Muhammad, and Deborah VanTrece. The culinary team of Hyatt Regency Atlanta, under the orchestration of Executive Chef Thomas McKeown will bring their visionary concepts and recipes to life.

Adding to the allure, two celebrated mixologists, Angela Barnes and Renauda Riddle, finalists for the James Beard Award, will serve bespoke small-batch cocktails. The night will crescendo with captivating performances by musical giants Will Downing and Mike Phillips.

Our silent auction features a curated selection of items and experiences, each embodying the essence of heritage and excellence. This year, we're proud to be supported by prominent sponsors, including Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Encore and US Foods. Their commitment to the community mirrors the foundation's vision for a brighter future.