Team Up with Gilchrist at the 41st Annual Taste of Howard County
This fall, Howard County is coming together for great food, great company, and a great cause. On Sunday, October 11, Gilchrist will host the 41st annual Taste of Howard County at Turf Valley Resort. This year’s theme, “Team Up with Gilchrist!”, celebrates the many people who work together to ensure patients and families throughout Howard County have access to compassionate care when they need it most.
Benefiting Gilchrist Center Howard County, the event will bring together local restaurants, community partners, sponsors, and supporters for an evening of food, auctions, entertainment, and philanthropy.
Compassion Is a Team Sport
Exceptional hospice care takes a team. Every day, Gilchrist physicians, nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, music therapists, volunteers, and many others work together to care for patients while supporting the people who love them. That same spirit of teamwork is at the heart of Taste of Howard County.
“Every great team is made up of people who bring something different to the table, and that’s exactly what makes Taste of Howard County so special,” says Diane Daniels, Director of Philanthropy, Gilchrist Howard County. “From our restaurants and sponsors to our volunteers and guests, everyone has a role to play in helping Gilchrist provide compassionate care to Howard County families. We hope people come ready to have fun, eat delicious food, show their team spirit, and know they’re making a real difference at the same time.”
Guests are encouraged to get into the spirit of this year’s theme by dressing to reflect their personal team spirit, whether that means representing a favorite sports team, alma mater, hometown, or another team close to their heart.
Something for Every Taste
The restaurants have always been the stars of Taste of Howard County, and this year more than 20 Howard County restaurants will serve samples of their specialties throughout the evening. Guests can enjoy food from across the community along with an open bar featuring wine and beer. The evening will also include more than 70 silent auction items, an exciting live auction, and an inspirational program highlighting Gilchrist’s work throughout Howard County.
Longtime Baltimore news anchor Jamie Costello will serve as emcee, helping guide guests through an evening that combines fun and friendly team spirit with an important mission.
Supporting Gilchrist Center Howard County
The impact of the evening extends far beyond Turf Valley. More than 5,000 Howard County patients and their families rely on Gilchrist each year for hospice, palliative, and geriatric care, as well as grief support. Gilchrist provides care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay or insurance coverage.
Proceeds from Taste of Howard County directly benefit hospice services at Gilchrist Center Howard County. Last year alone, Gilchrist provided $1.08 million in uncompensated care and charity care through the center.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, Gilchrist Center Howard County is the county’s only inpatient hospice center. Located in Columbia, the center features 10 private patient rooms and provides specialized hospice care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Because insurance does not cover the full cost of care, community support is essential to ensuring every patient and family can receive the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve.
It Takes a Community
Taste of Howard County would not be possible without the many people and organizations that come together each year to support Gilchrist’s mission.
This year’s event is chaired by Howard County community members Mary and Joe Barbera, alongside a dedicated committee of local business leaders, community members, volunteers, and Gilchrist representatives. Gilchrist is also grateful to the generous sponsors whose support makes the event possible each year. See the full list of 2026 Taste of Howard County sponsors.
Together, these restaurants, sponsors, volunteers, committee members, guests, and care professionals form one extraordinary team with a shared goal: ensuring compassionate care remains available to Howard County families.
Join the Team
Gather your friends, show your team spirit, and join Gilchrist for the 41st annual Taste of Howard County. Whether you’re serving food, sponsoring the event, bidding on an auction item, volunteering, or simply joining us for the evening, everyone has a place on Gilchrist’s team. Together, we can help ensure Howard County patients and families continue receiving the compassionate care and support they deserve.
Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
Time: 5 pm
Location: Turf Valley Resort
Theme: Team Up with Gilchrist!
Attire: Dress to reflect your personal team spirit
For general event questions, contact Julie Kolankiewicz. For sponsorship questions, contact Diane Daniels. Both can be reached at GilchristEvents@gilchristcares.org.
