If you’re going to shell out $75 to $100 for a culinary event, it may as well be this one. The annual Taste of the Nation features more than 20 upscale Charlotte area restaurants and catering services providing samples of staples from their menus. Among this year’s participants are Baku, Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, Upstream, Saffron Indian Cuisine, Mimosa Grill and more. It all amounts to foodie heaven, but there’s also a fully stocked bar, auctions and live entertainment through the course of the evening. Plus, the real reason to not flinch at the cost of the event: It’s a benefit for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry program, which provides food for children who might otherwise go without. For more information, www.ce.strength.org/charlotte. (Anita Overcash)