Courtesy of AIDS Action Committee—
El Centro’s tacos and chipotle chicken. Boston Chops’ beef sliders on brioche. Brownstone’s canape of honey truffled goat cheese. And Picco’s dark chocolate brownies with vanilla ice cream.
These were just a sampling of the dozens of small plate culinary creations filling the tables at AIDS Action’s 23rd annual Taste of the South End at the Cyclorama of the Boston Arts Center March 20. Is it any wonder that the event drew a full house and raised more than $155,000 for HIV prevention services?
Top chefs from the South End, Boston’s favorite “foodie” neighborhood, contributed their time and talent to the popular fundraiser, which also featured live cooking demonstrations and an array of wine, beer, and spirits from Sam Adams, Bombay Sapphire, Ménage à Trois Prosecco, Argyle & Wither Hills, Vineyard Brands, Wagner Family of Wine, Copper Cane, E&J Gallo Winery, Rinchero Family Estates, Lighthouse Brokers, and Carolina Wines.
“Our guests enjoyed the best of the South End under one roof,” said Carl Sciortino, executive director of AIDS Action. “They should feel great about contributing to our work to bring the number of new HIV infections in Massachusetts down to zero.”
“Nothing makes me happier than seeing people come together to enjoy delicious food and support a wonderful cause,” said Mark D’Alessandro, general manager of MISTRAL. “That’s why I keep coming back each year to Taste of the South End. I’m incredibly proud of the support my staff and I give each year to AIDS Action for their HIV prevention work.”
Other participating eateries included Anoush’ella, Aquitaine bar á Vin Bistrot, Area Four, Banyan Bar + Refuge, Bar Mezzana, Barcelona South End, The Beehive, Blackbird Doughnuts, Cinquecento Roman Trattoria, The Elephant Walk South End, Five Horses South, Flour Bakery + Cafe, Formaggio Kitchen South End, Frenchie, Fuji @ Ink Block, The Gallows, Gaslight Brasserie, Haley House Bakery Cafe, Lion’s Tail, Masa, Metropolis Café, Meyers + Chang, MIDA, Orinoco, South End Buttery, Stephi’s on Tremont, and Whole Foods.
Taste of the South End also featured an ARTcetera Pop Up in the Taste Lounge as a preview to this fall’s ARTcetera auction, which takes place October 27 at The Castle at Park Plaza and also raises money for AIDS Action’s services. Vintage protest posters and AIDS awareness campaign materials were exhibited in the space and guests were invited to color one of two four-by-four panels for a protest-themed poster. While waiting their turn, they could enjoy classic gin concoctions with bitters and garnishes prepared by Bombay Sapphire.
The presenting sponsor of this year’s Taste of the South End was Amazon. Other sponsors included Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Macy’s, Eastern Bank, FMC Ice Sports, Pfizer, 345 Harrison, Bombay Sapphire, Eaton Vance Investment Managers, Gilead, InterSystems, Venegas and Company, Whole Foods Market, American Heart Association, GaggleAMP, Nutter, Unit Reality Group, Martignetti Companies, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Ultimate Valet, Boston Spirit Magazine, EDGE Media Network, Yelp, Frost Productions, PEAK Event Services, PBD Events, and Room and Board.
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts is the state’s leading provider of prevention and wellness services for people living with and at risk of HIV/AIDS. AIDS Action works to stop the epidemic by eliminating new infections; maximizing healthier outcomes of those infected and at risk; and tackling the root causes of HIV/AIDS. Founded in 1983, AIDS Action is New England’s oldest and largest AIDS service organization, advocating for the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS by educating the public and health professionals about HIV prevention and care; and promoting fair and effective HIV/AIDS policy at the city, state, and federal levels. In 2013, AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts entered into a strategic partnership with Fenway Health, allowing both organizations to improve delivery of care and services across the state and beyond.
[From a News Release]
