Hartman named chair of 2021 Taste of Buffalo

The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops announced  Amber Hartman, a benefits manager at the human resources company Employer Services Corp., was elected chair of the festival's board of directors. She will lead planning efforts for the 38th annual event, which takes place July 10-11.

Hartman has been volunteering for the Taste of Buffalo since 1997 and joined the board of directors in 2012. She is a past chair of the event’s finance committee, where she coordinated food ticket sales and the many volunteer groups that aid in that effort each year.

“I’m very proud to serve as chair for this year’s event, our 38th Taste of Buffalo,” Hartman said. “What we’ve learned over these difficult 10 months is something our event has helped showcase since its inception: The vibrant and economically vital role our restaurant community plays here in Western New York. It’s not something we can take for granted. The Taste remains committed now more than ever to supporting this vital industry during its hour of need.”

Hartman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY College at Buffalo. She is currently working toward her certification as a professional in human resources and certified employee benefits specialist designation. Hartman is an active member of many prominent HR organizations, including the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP). She was previously named one of Buffalo’s “40 Under 40.”

She is married with two children.

In addition to Hartman, several others were elected to new leadership roles for the 2021 event: first vice chair: Luke Baecker, Roofers Local No 74 / 203 Benefit Funds; second vice chair: Elizabeth Mamot, Aventra LLC; secretary: Eric DuVall, Amplified Buffalo; treasurer: Rozana Ayanbadejo, Catholic Health; and past chair: Erin Collins, Gelia.

The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops is the nation's largest two-day food festival. The 38th annual event is slated to take place July 10 and 11. It is presented by a not-for-profit organization with more than 1,000 volunteers helping to put on the annual event. Approximately $541,000 has been raised at the festival for local charities, including three $1,000 scholarships awarded last year to local high school seniors pursuing a culinary or hospitality-related degree. For more information, visit tasteofbuffalo.com or on social media @tasteofbuffalo.

Amber Hartman