Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Organization
Taste of the South is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that raises over half a million dollars annually for charities throughout the Southern states we proudly represent: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Taste of the South hosts a gala to support charitable causes in our member states and to celebrate good Southern food, music, and traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Taste of the South Gala
When is the Taste of the South gala?
- Taste of the South will be holding its 2024 Gala on July 27.
Where is the Taste of the South gala?
- This year, the Taste of the South gala will once again be held at the Anthem at District Wharf, located at 901 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024.
- Please use the entrance located behind the 900 Block of Maine Avenue SW on the waterfront.
What time does the Gala start?
- 7:00 pm – Entry for VIP Ticket Holders
- 8:00 pm – Entry for General Admission Ticket Holders
- 12:00 am — Gala concludes
- No guests will be admitted prior to the time designated on their ticket.
- No guests will be admitted after 10:00 pm.
How do I get there?
- Metro: Both the L’Enfant Metro on the Blue, Orange, Green, Silver, and Yellow lines and the Waterfront Metro on the Green line are four blocks away.
- Taxi & Rideshare: There are designated drop-off and pick-up locations for rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft and the Taxi Commission. Check your app for specific locations.
- The Anthem’s address is 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024, on a primarily pedestrian street one block south of Maine Avenue. Admission to the Taste of the South Gala is at the entrance located behind the 900 Block of Maine Avenue SW on the waterfront.
How do I get a ticket to the Taste of the South Gala?
- Tickets are given as benefits to donors of Taste of the South. If you are interested in becoming a donor, please contact donate@tasteofthesouth.org.
What benefits do I receive as a VIP ticket holder?
- VIP ticket holders enjoy early entry to the gala and access to our separate VIP suite which includes additional seating, premium bars, upscale eats, and VIP-exclusive swag.
- VIP tickets are included in the sponsorship benefits of donations $5,000 and above, and are not made available for sale at any time.
What do I need to bring to attend the Gala?
- Physical Ticket: No guest will be admitted without a physical ticket in hand. No exceptions will be made.
- Photo Identification: IDs for all guests will be checked at the door. No guests under 21 will be admitted, and no guests will be admitted without an ID. No exceptions will be made.
What is the attire for Taste of the South?
- Taste of the South is a black-tie event. Inappropriately attired guests will not be admitted.
Is there a coat check?
- Yes, a coat check is available for guests.
This is my first time, what can I expect at the Taste of the South gala?
- Come hungry! We suggest arriving as close to your ticket time as possible to enjoy the best food from around the South.
- Each of our 13 member states will welcome you with food, beverages, goods, and swag from their home states.
- Bring your dancing shoes! We have a great live band that plays throughout the night and keeps the party going.
Is there something we didn’t answer for you?
- Please email info@tasteofthesouth for any additional questions or assistance.
Sponsorship of Taste of the South
How can I support Taste of the South?
- You can support the 13 charities located in our member states and our D.C.-based charity by becoming a donor to our organization.
- Read more about the charities we’re giving to this year here.
What are the benefits for being a Taste of the South donor?
- Taste of the South sponsorship packages include ticket benefits for our gala, signage and recognition at the gala, and branding opportunities in Taste of the South pre-event materials.
- Taste of the South is proud to welcome over 2,400 guests to our gala, spanning business and policy professionals, executives and CEOs, Congressional staff, and friends from around the country.
- You can see all of our sponsorship levels and benefits here.
I’m interested in giving something else other than a monetary donation. Do you take other types of donations?
- Yes! Aside from monetary donations, we gratefully accept food and in-kind giveaways donations.
- Food: Each state serves a menu graciously donated by our food donors that reminds us of a taste from home. To donate food, please email us at donate@tasteofthesouth.org for more information about ticket benefits and preparation information.
- In-Kind: Each state also has an array of giveaway items for our party-goers to fill their take-home bags! There’s always a rush to grab up swag from universities and items from the home-state companies our party-goers know and love. These items include giveaways like sample-size products, sealed food items (think jams or packaged candies), candles, koozies, notepads, frisbees… be creative!
When are donations due?
- We encourage donors to secure their sponsorships here as soon as possible to guarantee ticket benefits. Full ticket benefits are not guaranteed after May 6th for in-kind donors and May 13th for monetary sponsorships.
- We are unable to release tickets to cash donors before payment is remitted.
Is there something we didn’t answer for you?
- Please email donate@tasteofthesouth for any additional questions or assistance.