Food lovers flocked to CityFeast in the North End to indulge on Italian food while raising funds for diabetes research.
About 235 people came to Antico Forno, Terramia Ristorante, Lucca, Taranta and Tresca to participate in CityFeast on Sunday.
The festival raises money for Joslin Diabetes Center’s High Hopes Fund, which aids diabetes research, according to Joslin’s website.
Antico Forno and Terramia Ristorante owner Carla Gomes said last year, CityFeast raised $30,000 for diabetes research.
“It’s a great evening, it’s a great event and we hope to raise a lot of money to cure diabetes,” she said.
Gomes said she has done the fundraiser for the past seven years, along with Taranta, Tresca and Lucca. The restaurants raffled off a Vespa, which increased funds for the foundation.
“I hope people are buying tickets for the Vespa so that should increase sales,” Gomes said. “So hopefully we’re getting up to $40,000 – we hope, anyway.”
CityFeast began with an opening speech at Antico Forna by John Brooks III, president and CEO of Joslin.
“I do want to really let everyone know we’re very excited at Joslin,” Brooks said. “I’m sure some of you read in the paper this week that we are the recipient of a $5 million grant from the Mass. Life Science Center.”
Brooks said the money will be focused on the Translational Center for the Cure of Diabetes.
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino made a special appearance at CityFeast.
“Someday we’re going to have a celebration,” Menino said, “a big celebration, we’re going to find a cure for this disease. But until then, these events are so important.”
One Lucca owner, Sean Williams, said he had about 47 people in his restaurant and anticipated raising about $5,000.
Williams said he has been in the neighborhood for 20 years and Gomes has become a personal friend of his.
“Obviously when she asked us to support the Joslin center, we wanted to help her with that,” Williams said.
Lucca has also participated in fundraisers with Massachusetts General Hospital, he said.
A few doors down at Taranta, the chef was explaining the night’s courses to two large tables.
“Tonight we’re here supporting the Joslin Diabetes Center, and the fact that it’s at Taranta just makes it doubly good,” said Richard Carver, whose wife is the director of educational services at Joslin.
Carver, sitting at a table with his friends, daughters and mother, said it is his sixth year participating in CityFeast.
George King, director of research at Joslin, sat at the next table and said the partnership with the North End has been wonderful.
“This is a critical part for our research and care for the patients,” King said.
CityFeast raises money every year for research and care for patients with juvenile diabetes, King said.
As for the rest of the night, King said he was optimistic.
“So far,” he said, laughing and motioning to his empty plate, “it tastes wonderful.”
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