Taste of the North End

Hundreds gathered on Friday night for the 20th annual Taste of the North End to sample the neighborhood’s famous Italian food provided by about 40 local restaurants and bakeries. The event, co-hosted by North End Waterfront Health, benefits that organization and other neighborhood non-profits. This year, part of the proceeds will go to The One Fund Boston to help those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings.

Families, friends, and neighbors arrived at the Steriti Memorial Rink on Commercial Street for the annual event.

At the table for Aragosta Bar + Bistro, Jose Zarzar and Graham Lockwood dished up lobster risotto for the crowd.

Jane Song, Kristina Masson, Areeg Eluri, and Shannon Hogan gathered for a night of food and fun. Hogan is sort of an honorary North Ender, she explained: “My grandfather is a lifelong North End resident, so it’s like my second home.’’

Among the night’s temptations were these cups of chocolate mousse cake and strawberry shortcake at the Modern Pastry table.

The festive event included a DJ playing classic rock, balloons and other decorations, and several tables packed with silent auction items.

Philip Frattaroli, the event’s executive director and a City Council candidate, posed with City Councilor Rob Consalvo, who is running for mayor. Consalvo said got a limited tan from knocking on doors and talking to voters. “I’m tan from here up,’’ he said, pointing to his neck. “And from here down,’’ he said, pointing to his wrists.

Mario Vigliotti, in foreground, and Mauro Lucchesi served up parmigiano reggiano and prosciutto at the table for Perkins, a Taunton-based food service company.

Maggie LeBlanc, a clinical social worker at North End Waterfront Health, and Angela Sperduto sampled the evening’s fare. “My family’s from the North End; they all live here. I moved out to Medford,’’ Sperduto said.

The event’s silent auction had plenty to excite any local sports fan, with memorabilia from the Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins. And for those less interested in sports, there were trips and a photo of Robert De Niro from the making of the film “Casino.’’

At the Lucia Ristorante table, Stacey Sawyer and Mirko BIssetta served up a risotto with saffron, snap peas, and parmesan.

Event organizer Philip Frattaroli and Taste of the North End founder Donato Frattaroli honored Mayor Thomas M. Menino for his two decades of support for the annual neighborhood event. Menino was flanked by his wife Angela Menino and event host Billy Costa, host of “TV Diner with Billy Costa.’’

Fernanda Muneton shucked Wellfleet cherrystone clams at the table for the popular Neptune Oyster House on Salem Street.

Workers from Filippo Ristorante brought an entire roasted pig to their table.

From infants to seniors, the event attracted hundreds from the North End and around Greater Boston.

Friends of Christopher Columbus Park members Teresa Mirabito and Ann Babbitt shared a word with Mayor Menino, who has decided not to run for re-election in November. “I just wanted to thank him because as far as I’m concerned, he’s the best mayor a city could have and I’m going to miss him,’’ Babbitt said.

Darryl DiRe poured a glass of wine at the event’s bar.

The event’s organizers honored Barbara Summa Sullivan, the owner of La Summa who has supported the event since its inception, and Matt Conti, whose blog covers nearly every event and community meeting in the neighborhood. From left: Donato Frattaroli, Summa Sullivan, James Luisi, CEO of North End Waterfront Health, Conti, and Philip Frattaroli.