'Upholding the Tradition': Return of Tribeca's Food Fest Fundraiser

More than 60 restaurants provided samplings of their cuisine at the 23rd annual event on May 20. The food fest began beneath grey skies and the threat of rain, but weather never managed to dampen the fun. "I wasn't expecting the rain drops but it held off," said Taste co-chair Bettina Teodoro, "and people just seemed to be having a really good time." Photo: Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib

Once again they came by the thousands (between 3,000 and 4,000 is the early rough estimate) to savor the culinary samplings of Tribeca eateries. It was the 23rd annual Taste of Tribeca on Saturday and along Duane and Greenwich streets the crowds perused more than 60 stands in judicious contemplation of which six to sample. Planning for the mammoth event, which funds an array of resources to local schools P.S. 234 and P.S. 150, began in the fall with a core group of 40 volunteers from the two schools. Another 200 parents helped out on the day along with 50 teen volunteers, most from Millennium High School.

Looney Lenny performed again this year in the Kids Zone. 360 photo by Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib (Click and drag your cursor to see the full 360-degree view.)

Looney Lenny performs at Taste of Tribeca, 2017. #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA [1]

Along with the tastes were lots of kids activities, live music, a beer-and-cider tour and more.

“It was just a good vibe all around,” said Bettina Teodoro, who co-chaired the event with Keith Klein.

Why do Teodoro and others put in the many months of hard work that go into this giant food fest? “It’s important that we make the school the best we can, and contribute the best that we can,” said Teodoro, who has two children at P.S. 150 and a third coming up. “Taste of Tribeca has been successful for 23 years now, so you want to continue to uphold that tradition.”

The Walker's booth at Taste of Tribeca. 360 photo by Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib (Click and drag your cursor to see the full 360-degree view.)

Post from RICOH THETA. #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA [2]

Face painting in the Kids Zone. 360 photo by Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib (Click and drag your cursor to see the full 360-degree view.)

Taste of Tribeca 2017. Facepainting in the Kidzone. #theta360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA [3]