Tastebuds Jr.: A Delicious Experience!

We are thrilled to announce that this year's Tastebuds Jr. event raised ~$4,500 for Best Buddies Pittsburgh and for the Best Buddies clubs at Baldwin High School and J. E. Harrison Middle School!

The sold out crowd of 150 guests packed the R. A. Lutz Elementary School cafeteria for an evening of food and fun. It was a night like no other in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District and we'd like to thank everyone who helped make it special--including you! 
Photos provided by Ethan Green, Student, Baldwin High School

Thank you to our Inclusion Champions! The following Champions generously donated the gift of food, time, and culinary expertise from their restaurants and businesses. 
  • Above and Beyond Catering (Macaroni & Cheese)
  • Bella's on Fort Couch (Meatballs in Sauce)
  • Chef Tim's Catering (Broccoli Au Gratin)
  • Gianna Via's Restaurant & Bar (Penne with Marinara)
  • Lakeside Confections (Dubai Bonbon, Lemon Drop, Chocolate Nougat)
  • Millie's Ice Cream (Vanilla, Chocolate, Dairy Free Mint Chip)
  • Rita's Italian Ice (Assorted Flavors of Italian Ice)
  • Raising Canes Chicken Fingers (Chicken Fingers with Cane's Sauce)
  • Salvatore's Events & Catering (Fried Chicken)
  • Schneider's Dairy (Raspberry Lemonade, Orange Drink, Lemon Tea, Diet Tea)
  • Silk Road (Chicken Fried Rice, Vegetable Lo Mein)
  • Toastique (PG Acai Smoothie Bowl, Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie Bowl, Dragonberry Bowl)
  • Traveling Tom's Coffee Truck (Peach Mango Refresher, Strawberry Acai Refresher, Vanilla Latte)
  • Truss Brewing (Pizza)
  • The Vandal (Panini with Prosciutto, Burrata, and Fig with Arugula and Balsamic) 

Thank you to our Inclusion Partners and Buddies! The following Partners and Buddies donated gifts to the event:
  • Altoona Curve
  • Baldwin High School Athletics Department
  • Baldwin High School Innovation Shop
  • Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation
  • Baldwin-Whitehall School District
  • Idlewild Park
  • Kamin Science Center
  • Lakeside Confections
  • Mary Odato
  • Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
  • Pittsburgh Penguins
  • Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Pittsburgh Riverhounds
  • Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
  • Rep. John Inglis
  • Scheuermann's Disease Fund
  • Shannon McFeaters
  • Tonya Fohr
  • Urban Air
  • Washington Wild Things
  • Baldwin Borough
  • Wilson-McGinley Distributor
Tastebuds Jr. History

In partnership with Best Buddies Baldwin and the ACLD Tillotson School, this one-of-a-kind event pairs local chefs with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities that serve as sous-chefs for the evening. Students participating in the Best Buddies program gain an opportunity to further develop networking skills over delicious local food. It is a unique tasting event that blends talented chefs and their signature dishes with the power of friendship.
Community partners help give Best Buddies an opportunity to further spread the word of inclusion. Since 2024, this event has raised more than $10,000 in support of Baldwin's Best Buddies clubs and Best Buddies PA.  

There are multiple ways to support: 
  • Inclusion Champion: Donate an entree or appetizer for up to 100 people, assist with serving/sharing food and participate in the event, share information about your business.
  • Inclusion Partner: Donate gift card(s) or item(s) as raffle prizes; offer coupons to your restaurant and/or beverages (soda or water) for the event.
  • Inclusion Buddy: Donate serving products (plates, cups, utensils), or make a one-time monetary donation.