December 9, 2024
6:00 - 10:00 PM | Pittsburgh, PA
TasteBuds Presented By:
Best Buddies Pittsburgh is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of TasteBuds!
This one-of-a-kind culinary experience brings together top chefs from the Greater Pittsburgh area to showcase their signature dishes while celebrating the power of friendship. Each chef will be paired with an individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), who will serve as their sous-chef for the evening. Guests will indulge in a diverse array of culinary delights and enjoy a selection of drinks from our open bar.
We’re also excited to once again feature the Champion of the Year as part of TasteBuds—a philanthropic competition that unites community leaders in the spirit of inclusion. For 2024, we’re proud to announce that 5 Champions will compete in a 10-week campaign, culminating in the crowning of our Champion of the Year at the event.
The evening promises lively entertainment, exclusive auction items, and, most importantly, support for our Friendship & Leadership Programs for individuals with IDD.
Find new flavors. Meet new friends!
Emcee: Heather Abraham
Auctioneer: Matthew Newsom
Schedule
Monday, December 9, 2024
VIP Hour: 6:00 pm
General Admission: 7:00 pm.
Event ends: 10:00 pm.
Attire: Cocktail
There are no physical tickets this year. All guests will have their names listed at the door.
Location
The David L. Lawrence Convention Center
1000 Fort Duquesne Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Event Contact
Congrats to our 2024 Pittsburgh Champion of the Year
Lindley Diecks
Raised over $72,688 for Best Buddies in Pittsburgh
Meet our 2024 Champion Candidates:
Auctioneer Matt Newsom
Emcee Heather Abraham
Heather Abraham co-hosts KDKA’s “Pittsburgh Today Live,” with David Highfield, every weekday morning at 9AM; and is the host of Talk Pittsburgh, every weekday afternoon at 3PM. Being an active part of the community is very important to Heather. She’s been involved with the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, even taking part in their annual polar plunge fundraiser, as well as Hair Peace Charities, Animal Friends, and the KDKA-TV Turkey Fund. Her community involvement, though, includes being a good neighbor! She established an annual block party and helped to create a safe Light Up Night on her street during the 2020 COVID pandemic.
Restaurants
A Glimpse of the Party
About Best Buddies
All funds raised benefit Best Buddies – the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down Syndrome, Autism, Fragile X, Williams Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities.
We Love our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Additional Sponsors
For event information and sponsorship opportunities, contact SamanthaMildner@bestbuddies.org.