For the second year, hundreds of foodies are expected to gather at Fort Williams Park for Maine’s premier culinary event, Taste of the Nation, that aims to end childhood hunger while showcasing a variety of local cuisine.

On Sunday, June 28, Maine’s 10th annual Taste of the Nation event in Cape Elizabeth will highlight more than 20 Maine restaurants that will each offer a specialty dish, from lamb sliders to lobster rolls to cupcakes.

Sponsored by nonprofit organization Share our Strength, Taste of the Nation is America’s premier culinary benefit that aims to raise money for the No Kid Hungry campaign. According to Emily Ryan, Share our Strength’s associate director of development for Maine and Massachusetts, 35 Taste of the Nation events are held across the country each year.

According to a press release from Share our Strength, 58,731 kids in Maine go hungry. Last year, Taste of the Nation, which overlooks the lighthouse at Fort Williams, raised more than $200,000 for the No Kid Hungry campaign. About 450 people attended.

“It’s such a picturesque setting,” Ryan said. “One hundred percent of the ticket proceeds go toward the fight to end childhood hunger. The sense of the community is really powerful.”

Good Table Restaurant in Cape Elizabeth will be participating in the event for the first time this weekend. Owner Lisa Kostopoulos said she plans to offer an Asian-inspired crab cake on a bed of fresh local radishes and pickled cucumbers with a sriracha-flavored aioli.

More importantly, Kostopoulos looks forward to supporting the cause alongside her chef Ryan Weeks and manager Kaylin Weeks.

“I have always loved Share Our Strength and what they stand for,” said Kostopoulos. “All of the in-house charity work we do is 99.9 percent of the time about feeding people. It’s really dear to our hearts. We’re thrilled.”

The main event, which runs from 5-8 p.m., is open to public. General admission is $100 and VIP admission, which includes a 4 p.m. reception, is $175. All attendees must be at least 21 years old.

Guests will have also the chance to interact with Maine’s top sommeliers and brewers and taste samples of craft beers, wines and cocktails. Those who attend can enjoy live entertainment and participate in live and silent auctions.

Taste of the Nation will benefit several local organizations that work to feed hungry children, including Good Shepherd Food Bank, Cultivating Community, Opportunity Alliance and the Preble Street Teen Center.

Kostopoulos said she is glad to be able to contribute to this year’s Taste of the Nation.

“Ever since I was young, I’ve always believed in giving,” she said. “It’s really nice to give back – it feels really good.”

Chefs from area restaurants gathered at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth last summer for the Taste of the Nation culinary benefit, which aims to raise money to end childhood hunger. The 10th annual event occurs on Sunday.Photo courtesy of Jen Dean Photography