About Us
41 Years of Tasting
The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops is the largest two-day food festival in the United States. It began in 1984 with 22 restaurants on Main St and now we are celebrating our 41st year in 2024. The Taste is a not-for-profit corporation registered with the State of New York and is run by an all-volunteer board of directors and Connie Wendling of Sell-utions Inc., our event management and sponsorship agency.
Join us Saturday, July 13th and Sunday, July 14th, 2024 in celebration of our 41st year of sharing food, drinks and good times with the great city of Buffalo!
41 Years of Giving
The Taste awards annual scholarships to high school seniors pursuing a major in culinary arts or the hospitality field. Each year the Taste of Buffalo awards stipends to local organizations that man the festival's ticket and beverage tents. Over $543,000 has been donated by the Taste. If monies remain left over after expenses are paid, the Taste Chair and Board of Directors make additional donations to local charitable organizations.
From one of our Taste Fans, Jeffrey W.
"Grew up in WNY (Cassadaga) and was home to celebrate parent's 65 anniversary. 12 of us went to the Taste of Buffalo, for the first time, this year. It was absolutely a fantastic experience. Very well organized; food was great and people everywhere at the festival were pleasant and considerate. Security was obviously present and we felt safe. Thanks to all who made this event a great success."
Admission to the Taste is Free! Food and beverages are purchased with tickets.
Food and beverage tickets can be purchased at one of three ticket tents located throughout the festival. Tickets are sold in $6 sheets. You’ll receive 10 tickets for $6. Food items range between 2 and 10 tickets.
You can also purchase pre-sale food ticket vouchers at the register at participating Tops Markets locations through 5 p.m. on the Sunday of the festival. Vouchers are available in $10 increments or take advantage of the Family Freebie and purchase a $60 food ticket voucher and get 4 free non-alcoholic drinks at the Taste.
The future dates of the Taste of Buffalo are:
July 13 & 14, 2024
July 12 & 13, 2025
July 11 & 12, 2026
2024 Board of Directors
Officers
ChairThomas Mahoney, SAHD |
TreasurerLori Rizzo, Gibraltar Industries |
1st Vice ChairMatthew J. Reis, Tallinger Associates, Foodservice Design |
Assistant TreasurerRozana Ayanbadejo, Nova Healthcare Administrators |
2nd Vice ChairAdam C. Roma, Principal Financial Group |
Past ChairElizabeth Mamot, Aventra |
SecretaryCheryl Goldstone, Retired – School Counselor Williamsville South HS |
Directors
| Paul Avery, Esq., Bond, Schoeneck & King | Rachel Rajan, MergerShark |
| Greg Beckwith, NFTA-Metro | Mark E. Reimann, Joblio, Inc. |
| Paula Bilski, Retired | Matthew Testa, M&T |
| Douglas Boehm, Element Materials Technology | Mark Zawodzinski, Integer Holdings Corporation |
| Becky Chambers, Delaware North/Erie Sportservice LLC | Amanda Ziegler, University at Buffalo |
| Valerie E. Pillo, Clarivate Analytics | |
Ex-Officio
| James K. Morrell, NFTA-Metro |
| Thomas P. Muscarella, Erie County Department of Health |
| W. Morgan Smith, Buffalo Place, Inc. |
Advisory Committee
| Luke Baecker, Roofers Local No. 74/203 Benefit Funds |
| Erin Collins, Linde |
| Ann Hackett, aHa! Designs |
Festival & Sponsorship Management
| Connie Wendling, Sell-utions Inc. |
