It’s a tradition that seems more popular every year. Thursday, more than 700 Hoboken and other Hudson County residents flocked to the Pierce Ballroom on the campus of Stevens Institute of Technology to chow down on a diverse selection of edible delights at the 15th Annual “Taste of Hoboken.”
The event featured the foods of more than 35 restaurants, bakeries, wine and liquor stores, and cafes.
All of the proceeds from the evening went toward maintaining the Hoboken North Hudson YMCA’s mission of providing services to the community. YMCA President John Parchinsky said Thursday that this year’s event is especially important because the funds raised this year are going directly into the YMCA’s capital fund to renovate and modernize the organization’s aging building at 1301 Washington St.
“Every year it just keeps getting better and better,” said Parchinsky, as he walked the floor sampling the smorgasbord of culinary delights from Hoboken’s most popular and respected restaurants. “Not only does it help the YMCA, but people remember what they tried here, and then at some later date they go for dinner at those restaurants.”
Eurice Rojas, the director of Marketing and Corporate Development for the Palisades Medical Center, one of the major sponsors of the event, said Thursday that he was extremely pleased with the turnout. “It’s gratifying to see so much support for the Hoboken North Hudson YMCA,” said Rojas. “There should be more events like this one, not only in Hoboken but all throughout Hudson County. It’s wonderful to be able to showcase the diversity that makes up our community.”
In addition to Palisades Medical Center, this year’s major sponsors included The Hoboken Reporter, Cablevision, Applied Development Corporation, Fresh Ideas Kings, J.P. Morgan, Hudson Place Realty, St. Mary’s Hospital, Morgan Stanley, the Rotary Club, Stack and Stack, Hoboken Brownstone, DeFalco & Co., ReMax Realty, and Paine Webber.
Claude Persico, the co-owner of the Gaslight Restaurant at 400 Adams St., said that it is an honor to participate in the annual event. “We like to participate in community events as much as possible,” said Persico, whose chicken stuffed with mozzarella, roasted peppers, and ham in a mushroom sauce was a big hit. “Every year we seem to get a great response.”
And not only is the event an opportunity for people to try new tastes, but it’s also a chance for restaurants to get their name out.
“Really, everyone wins,” said Joyce Flinn, the owner of Amanda’s at 908 Washington St. “Hoboken by its very nature always seems to have a population of new residents that need to be introduced to the city’s restaurants.”
Other participating establishments were: La Scala at 159 14th St., Ganache at 1300 Clinton St., Oddfellows Rest Louisiana Bar and Restaurant at 80 River St., Frankie and Johnny’s On the Waterfront at 163 14th St., Ali Baba at 912 Washington St., Vale Restaurant at 832 Washington St., Margarita’s Caf