“Taste of the Independents,” an evening of exquisite food and drink from more than 40 independently-owned Central Ohio restaurants begins at 6 p.m. May 7 at the Smith Bros. Hardware Building, 504 N. 4th St.

The event will also feature appearances by winemakers from throughout the world.

Proceeds from the second annual event, hosted by Dine Originals Columbus, will be donated to Buckeye Ranch. For more than 50 years, Buckeye Ranch, a United Way organization, has provided mental health aid to more than 60,000 families.

Dine Originals Columbus is the local chapter of the North American collective that promotes patronizing locally owned restaurants.

Tickets to the event cost $75 and $125 and are available at www.buckeyeranch.org and www.dineoriginalscolumbus.com. 

The $125 ticket permits admission to the “Fifth Floor” festivities, which include special dishes (and wine pairings) by the chefs of Columbus’ three 5-star restaurants: Alana’s Food and Wine, Refectory Restaurant and Bistro and Rigsby’s Kitchen.

Also on hand during the entire event will be vintners, owners and representatives from independently-owned and operated boutique wineries from around the world. They include:

• John Caldwell, owner of Caldwell Vineyard
• Richard Bruno, owner-winemaker of Vinum Cellars
• Michael Sullberg, owner-winemaker of Michael Sullberg Wines
• Joel Gott, owner-winemaker of Joel Gott Wines
• Charles Bieler, owner-winemaker of Bieler Pere et Fils
• Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence and Charles & Charles Winery
• Kevin Pike, National Sales Director of Terry Theise Estate Selections
• Joes Pastor, importer-owner of Vinos & Gourmet Spanish Selections
• Greg Reeves, winery production assistant at Mauro Veglio

For more information about “Taste of the Independents,” call Dine Originals Columbus organizers Tim Woodard at 614-539-6637, Steve Gifford at 614-570-6106 or Tim Lessner at 614-221-8300.