Luke Baecker named chair of 39th annual Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops

The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops announced Luke Baecker, CPA, CGMA, a fund administrator at Roofers Local No. 74 / 203 Benefit Funds, has been elected chair of the festival's board of directors. He will lead planning efforts for the 39th annual event, which takes place on July 9-10 along Delaware Avenue and Niagara Square in downtown Buffalo.

Baecker joined the board in 2010 as assistant treasurer and went on to serve as treasurer for eight years. He is a graduate of the University at Buffalo, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He resides in Lancaster with his wife, Andrea, and their two daughters.

“I love food and being involved in Buffalo’s premiere summertime food event,” Baecker said. “The restaurant community continues to be impacted by the pandemic, and my hope for the 2022 Taste of Buffalo is to introduce people to new restaurants and support these local businesses that everyone loves.”

In addition to Baecker, the following individuals were named officers for the 2022 term: first vice chair: Elizabeth Mamot, Aventra LLC; second vice chair: Tom Mahoney, SAHD; secretary: Matthew Reis, Tallinger Associates, FCSI; treasurer: Rozana Ayanbadejo, Catholic Health; and past chair: Amber Hartman, National Veterinary Associates.

The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops is the nation's largest two-day food festival, and boasts more than 1,000 volunteers helping to put on the annual event. Approximately $543,000 has been raised at the festival for local charities, including scholarships awarded annually to local high school seniors pursuing a culinary or hospitality-related degree. For more information, visit tasteofbuffalo.com or @tasteofbuffalo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.