Between the volunteer efforts of 400 parents, the cooperating weather, and nearly 70 restaurateurs serving up some of their signature dishes, Taste of Tribeca’s organizers declared Saturday’s event the most successful in its 16-year history. Ticket sales were brisker than ever, with more than 4,000 sold and an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people jamming onto Duane and Greenwich Streets.

Sean Murphy Turner, who co-chaired the event with Jimmy Carbone, said a few things this year helped add to the success. “There’s been more of an effort to reach out to food writers and bring foodies from all over the city rather than rely on just the neighborhood.”

“And the blogging world,” she added, “has made people more aware of this festival.”

As always, the countless tastes were only part of the feasting festivities, a benefit for Tribeca's P.S. 234 and P.S.150. In-store wine tastings, a Broadway show ticket raffle, a culinary history tour, live music, arts and crafts and face painting for kids added non-edible entertainment.

Then there was the eatoff and cookoffs. The team of Brett Fuss and Michael Juster emerged victorious in the former, consuming the most meatballs and dumplings. Not a pretty sight for anyone on a full stomach.

Chef Kamal Rose of Tribeca Grill beat Macao’s Erik “Chewey” Cereceres in the dumpling-making competition. And Marc Forgione from Restaurant Marc Forgione beat out The Harrison's executive chef, Amanda Freitag, for meatball making honors.

But for all that revelry, it was the rank-and-file foodies who made the most of the afternoon.

“I’m already texting people back in Glasgow to say I’m experiencing the food festival in Tribeca and it’s amazing,” Scottish tourist Angela Woods said between bites of shrimp-in-garlic-sauce from Flor de Sol. “They’ll be jealous.”