Taste Of The UWS Tickets Go On Sale For May Event

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Taste of the Upper West Side, the neighborhood's most anticipated annual food- and drink showcase, will feature more than 80 chefs and honor a neighborhood nonprofit in its 12th year.

The two-day festival is set to return on May 17 with its "Summer in the City" event and its "Best of the West" event the following night, organizers said. About 3,500 people are expected to attend the festival, which is hosted by the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District, organizers said.

Ticket sales launched recently for Taste of the Upper West Side and the discount code "TasteUWSfriends" will remain valid until March 25. The code gets attendees a 15 percent discount, but does not apply to VIP tickets.

This year's honoree at Taste of the Upper West Side will be the nonprofit West Side Campaign Against Hunger. The organization was founded in the 80s and has been operating as a "customer-choice, supermarket style food pantry," since the early 90s. By letting customers chose the food they desire, the pantry hopes to create a more cooperative relationship that provides customers a more dignified experience, according to its website.

Gests at Taste of the Upper West side must be at least 21 years old and will be welcomed to unlimited food and drink tastings from participating chefs. Ticket sales fund the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District's other initiatives such as street beautification and other events featuring neighborhood small businesses.