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December 4, 2023

6:00 - 10:00 PM  |  Pittsburgh, PA

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TasteBuds Presented By:

Best Buddies in Pittsburgh is pleased to announce the return of TasteBuds!

TasteBuds is a unique tasting event that features talented chefs from around the Greater Pittsburgh area serving signature dishes and demonstrating the power of friendship. Chefs are paired with individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities (IDD), who serve as sous-chefs for the evening. Guests will sample an array of culinary delights and enjoy drinks at the open bar.

We also are excited to once again bring back Champion of the Year as part of our TasteBuds event, a philanthropic competition uniting inclusion leaders in our community. We are thrilled to announce that 5 Champions will be selected for 2023. At the completion of this 10-week campaign, we will crown our Champion of the Year at TasteBuds.

The evening will also include live entertainment and opportunities to bid on fabulous auction items, all in support of our Friendship & Leadership Programs for individuals with IDD.

Find new flavors. Meet new friends!

Schedule

Monday, December 4, 2023
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

SamanthaMildner@bestbuddies.org

Megan Defebo 2022 Champion, Deidre Kramer 2021 Champion and Noreen Liebrock 2020 Champion.
Megan Defebo 2022 Champion, Deidre Kramer 2021 Champion and Noreen Liebrock 2020 Champion.

Congrats to our 2022 Pittsburgh Champion of the Year

 Megan Defebo

This year’s event raised over $310,000 for Best Buddies in Pittsburgh

Meet our 2023 Champion Candidates:

Coming soon!

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Auctioneer- Matt Newsom

Auctioneer
Matt Newsom

As a Hairy Cell Leukemia survivor, the first galas I supported benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society who developed the treatment that put me into remission. My life experiences have brought me to benefit auctioneering. Being a benefit auctioneer allows me to put all three of these strengths to work for each of my non-profit partners. Doing what I’m good at plus doing what I enjoy plus helping so many worthy causes is the perfect combination for me!

Restaurants

For event information and sponsorship opportunities, contact SamanthaCivitate@bestbuddies.org.

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!

For event information and sponsorship opportunities, contact SamanthaMildner@bestbuddies.org.