Taste of Crete Participating in Taste of the Nation Culinary Fundraiser at The Olde Mill Inn at Basking Ridge, New Jersey

Taste of Crete, a local gourmet and natural food company that focuses on the healthy foods of Greece will be participating in Share our Strength Taste of the Nation Fundraiser on May 7, 2007 at The Olde Mill in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.

(PRWEB) April 28, 2007 -- Taste of the Nation is being held on Monday, May 7th at The Olde Mill Inn in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. The culinary event's purpose is to raise funds and awareness to end Childhood Hunger. One Hundred percent of ticket sales go to fund the fight. With funds raised through Taste of the Nation, Share Our Strength awards grants to the most effective organizations working to end childhood hunger at local, state and national levels. Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation® brings together over 4000 of the nation's top restaurants in more than 70 cities to serve original dishes paired with the world's best wines and spirits. Each unique event takes on the personality, culture and cuisine of its host city.

Taste of Crete, a local Bridgewater gourmet food company, whose focus is on importing all natural, organic and artisan specialty foods from Greece will be one of the participants for the fundraiser. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy many of their flavorful products.

Their marquee product is their Taste of Crete PDO extra virgin olive oil. It was a Gold Medal winner in the 2006 International Olive Oils of the World Competition and carries a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) recognition by the European Union, a certification that recognizes Taste of Crete's exceptional quality and adherence to traditional methods of production.

Their Apipharm Honeys come from eight various regions of Greece, with distinctive flavors, and aromas. People are amazed at complexity and diversity of the flavors. The honeys are raw, meaning not boiled or heated, so they retain their naturally occurring enzymes, antioxidants and nutrients.

Another product attendees will enjoy is their line of Evangelia's Traditional Greek Olive Oil Cookies. They are a very healthy choice since they are made without eggs or butter, so they are cholesterol free, trans fat free, and are great for vegans and the lactose intolerant.

Esther Luongo Psarakis, founder of Taste of Crete states: "This is the first year we are participating and we are excited to be part of this premier culinary fundraiser in Basking Ridge, for several reasons. Firstly, it is for a great cause that positively impacts children in need and makes a lasting difference in their young lives. Secondly, it allows the attendees to be introduced to our array of Greek natural foods, as well as see how they are used in recipes from Crete, a foundation of the healthy Mediterranean Diet. Lastly, it gives us a chance to promote the local gourmet/specialty and wine shops in the surrounding areas that are carrying our products." Stores in the area carrying their products include Whole Foods, Balducci's Food Lover's Market, Kings Supermarkets, Gary's Wine and Marketplace, When City Meets Country, Gallery of Bliss and Monterrey Gourmet,

Taste of Crete recently partnered with another woman owned Greek natural food importer; Demeter's Pantry, started by Maria Kardamaki Robertson. Together they are focused on bringing to the American gourmet market an exciting array of authentic Greek foods. Their award winning products are sold in natural and gourmet specialty stores. Recently, they were finalists in the Boston 2007 Make Mine a Million Business Program for Women Entrepreneurs. For a listing of stores carrying Taste of Crete and Demeter's Pantry products as well as additional company information, go to www.tasteofcrete.com or call 908-685-2035. For tickets and additional information on Taste of the Nation, go to www.tasteofthenation.org or call 1 732-381-6095 or 1 800-26Taste.

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