New this year, Town Square will be the vibrant centerpiece of Hartford Taste. This gathering space will feature live music, chef demonstrations, live art, and interactive experiences —inviting guests to relax, connect, and enjoy the energy of the festival.  

2026 STAGE SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, JUNE 5

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm School of Rock

1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Cook-Off - Mayors, Mattew Bannister, Jerome Baer

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Latoya Nikki & Possible Pride

3:15 pm - 5:00 pm HYPE COCKTAIL Party & Competition

5:15 pm - 6:00 pm MUSIC -DJ

6:15 pm - 7:00 pm Cook-Off w Influencers

7:30 pm - 8:45 pm MUSIC - POSSM

SATURDAY, JUNE 6

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm MUSIC -DJ

1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Cook-Off - Brian Shactman, Brooke Goff, Dan Schwartz & John Haymond

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm MUSIC - Frindz World Music - steel drum band

3:45 pm - 4:45 pm Cook-Off - Alex Tayloy Nachos with Phil B (Wood n Tap), Jamie M (Bears)and Jacob Rodriques (Puerta Vallarta)

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm MUSIC -DJ

6:15 pm - 7:15 pm PERFORMANCE ART - Break Dancing by Brandon Couloute & Pride Fest

7:30 pm - 8:45 pm MUSIC - HARTT Salsa All-Stars

SUNDAY, JUNE 7

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm MUSIC - BAND

1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Cook-Off with Jay Williams, Jason Jacobowski

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm PERFORMANCE ART - Performance Dance, Hartford Hot Several Brass Band & Magic Soul Academy Marching Band

3:45 pm - 4:30 pm KITCHEN TABLE -Conner Geary

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm MUSIC - Reggae

Proudly introduces:

  • Portrait of a man with short dark hair, light skin, green eyes, and tattoos on his neck, wearing a black collared shirt, against a dark gray background.

    Jamie McDonald

    Bears BBQ and Humanitarian

  • A smiling middle-aged man with a beard and bald head, wearing a striped button-down shirt and a watch, standing with arms crossed against a neutral background.

    Richard Sugarman

    CT Forum and
    Hartford Promise

  • A male chef wearing a white apron and chef's coat standing behind a bar with glasses and microphone flags, with a large window and bottles in the background.

    Jeffrey Lizotte

    Chef at The Foundry and
    Present Company

  • A man with short brown hair and a beard smiling, dressed in a navy blue suit and tie, in front of a brick wall and a window.

    Scott Dolch

    President and CEO
    CT Restaurant Association

  • Headshot of a middle-aged man with dark, neatly combed hair, wearing a light-colored, checkered dress shirt, smiling slightly, against a plain white background.

    Brian Schactman

    Radio Personality
    1080 WTIC

  • A man in a red blazer and black shirt, posing with his hand on his chin, smiling, with a backdrop featuring a logo with the text 'HJC' and artistic design.

    June Archer

    Entrepreneur, Music Industry Executive, and Community Builder

  • A young man with a beard, wearing a black cap backwards and a black chef's coat, smiling with arms crossed against a dark background.

    Mo Major

    Chef

  • A chef in a white uniform carefully applies sauce to a dish in a restaurant kitchen.

    Vinnie Carbone

    Chef and Owner of Carbones

  • A man in a bright blue suit stands behind a table with colorful donuts and baked goods, smiling with open arms in a kitchen set with shelves, cabinets, and window in the background.

    Alex P Taylor

    Lifestyle Influencer and
    Cookbook Author

  • A smiling woman with curly purple hair and green glasses wearing a gray fleece with 'FORGE CITY WORKS' logo, sitting at a wooden table in a cafe or restaurant setting.

    Karrigan Pothier

    Pastry Chef Fire x Forge

  • Chef standing at a bar with two bottles of white wine in front of him in a restaurant or bar setting.

    Chris Torla

    Chef at Trumbull Kitchen

Group of ten people smiling and posing together outdoors at a food event, some wearing aprons, against a backdrop with logos and sponsor names.
A group of chefs and presenters on a stage at the Hartford Taste Street Festival, with a banner displaying the event's name and sponsors, surrounded by city buildings.
People cooking food outdoors at a public event on a city street, with a backdrop of buildings and a branded banner.
A group of people wearing aprons and gloves cooking and preparing food outdoors, with one person applying sauce to a hot dog bun, others holding utensils, and some taking photos or drinking water.
A street festival taking place outdoors in an urban area on a sunny day. A small stage with a panel of speakers is set up, with microphones and banners. People are gathered around, some standing, others sitting at tables, listening to the event. Buil
A group of people participating in the Hartford Taste Festival outdoors in an urban setting. Two women are speaking into microphones, while others are preparing food or listening. The event features a food stall with a white banner that reads 'Hartfo
Four men standing behind a food station at a street festival, clapping and smiling, with a background banner that reads 'The Kitchen Table' and 'Hartford Taste Street Festival' with logos and Festival details, food items, condiments, and cooking equi
Group of people standing at a cooking event on a stage with a
Five people standing together outdoors in front of a promotional backdrop at a food event. They are smiling for the camera, and some are dressed in chef attire. The backdrop has logos of Gordon Food Service, HSB, and other sponsors.
Panel discussion at Hartford Taste Street Festival with four people seated behind a table under a white canopy, microphones on the table, backdrop with festival logo and sponsors, an audience in rain gear holding umbrellas.
A man with a beard and tattoos wearing a black cap and black shirt, speaking at a food service event under a white tent with a poster behind him. Several people are in the foreground, one holding a smartphone. The background banner has logos of Gordo
Six people standing behind a white table with a Hartford Taste logo under a canopy tent, smiling for the camera.
Chef grating carrots outdoors at a food demonstration with a green TD Bank sign in the background.
Four people standing in front of a white backdrop with logos and text, at a food festival booth. One woman has glasses and a green top with a tattoo, a woman in the center has curly hair and is smiling, a man is in a chef's coat, and another man is i
Group of five smiling people standing under a white tent at an outdoor event, including a chef in a white coat, a woman with purple hair, and others wearing casual clothing.