Under starry skies on Nov. 9, over 500 Crescenta Valley residents lined up to get a taste of some of the best food in town at the third annual Taste in the Foothills hosted by the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce.

More than 20 restaurants participated in the event, held in the Ralphs Marketplace parking lot in the 2600 block of Foothill Boulevard.

“Tasters” paid $15 for a wristband that allowed access to the restaurant’s booths. While dining, they enjoyed entertainment supplied by the CVHS Jazz Band.

Food was not the only thing donated. According to chamber past president Jean Maluccio, many local businesses stepped up to make the evening unforgettable.

“Bonners Rentals provided all the tables and linens. Event Power Associates donated all the electrical lighting for the booths and Crescenta Valley Water District lent us their generator,” said Maluccio. Crescenta Valley Insurance donated all the drinks and the wristbands.

The fundraiser raised over $4,000 of which a portion will be donated to area schools. To raise awareness, the chamber offered elementary schools the chance to sell tickets to the Taste, then receive a percentage of those sales. Monte Vista Elementary sold over $1,800 worth of tickets, earning not only 20% of their sales but an additional $100 bonus.

According to chamber executive director Julia Rabago, the restaurants were better prepared for the crowd this year.

“They all brought much more food than previous years,” Rabago said. “They were so generous. There was plenty for everyone. And we received a lot of positive comments from both the restaurants and the diners. It was a really successful event that we look forward to next year.”