San Jose Taste & Toast

Employment & Community Options (E&CO), a non-profit organization that assists people with disabilities to find and keep a job and to live as independently as possible, will host its third annual Taste & Toast  event on Thursday, May 10, from 6 to 9 p.m at Lexus of Stevens Creek located at 3333 Stevens Creek Blvd. The San Jose community is invited to sample signature items from over 8 local restaurants, wineries and breweries, such as Blue Mango Cuisine, Campbell Brewing Company and RawDaddy Foods.  All proceeds from the event will benefit adults with developmental disabilities and economically disadvantaged seniors.

This year, Taste & Toast is made possible through the generosity of title sponsor Star One Credit Union, and others like Suhr Insurance and the Law Office of Karen Meckstroth. The celebration, emceed for the second year in a row by devoted staff member and participant parent, Leigh Monichon, will feature an awards ceremony honoring the Employer, Employee, Volunteer and Participant of the Year for outstanding work in 2011.  Guests can also expect to peruse enticing silent auction items, enjoy live music provided Riche Kubec and as a special treat, have a caricature drawn.

“Every year, Taste and Toast is a wonderful chance to introduce the community to the benefits of the services we provide and the people who gain from them,” said Nancy Batterman, CEO of Employment and Community Options.  “We are proud of the role we play in connecting local businesses with hard working, reliable employees.”

The delicious fare for this year’s event will be provided by food and beverage partners, including:

• Bill’s Cafe
• Blue Mango Cuisine
• Blue Rock Brewery
• Campbell Brewing Company
• Chili’s
• Good Karma Vegetarian Restaurant
• La Piñata
• Pasta Pomodoro
• Peet’s Coffee & Tea – Rose Garden
• RawDaddy Foods
• The Fish Market
• Tony & Alba’s Pizza & Pasta

There are limited tickets available for Taste & Toast priced at $35 each.  Tickets and Sponsorships can be purchased online: purchase tickets & sponsorships.  For a complete list of sponsorship opportunities and benefits, please click here.

For additional information about the event please contact Megan Beardsley at (858) 565-9870 ext. 101 or mbeardsley@communityoptions.org.