While the legendary George Carlin (who I quote openly and often) once poked fun at the questionable taste of charity events that offer free food as a way to encourage donations for the hungry, there was no question regarding the good taste of Boston Magazine’s latest Taste event, which raised funds for the Greater Boston Food Bank (www.gbfb.org) through an all-night smorgasbord of Boston’s best bites that took place November 14 at the Children’s Museum.

From apps to desserts to beverages, Taste offered charitably minded diners a little bit of everything and all they could eat of their favorites. Among the participating purveyors were such local legends as Michael’s Deli, Top of the Hub, Bistro Du Midi, Chris Coombs’ Boston Chops, Jason Santos’ Buttermilk and Bourbon (which will soon be paired with Citrus and Salt), Jeremy Sewell’s Les Sablons, and Andy Husbands’ The Smoke Shop (which will soon be opening its first satellite across the street from the Museum). There was also a wide array of rising stars, including Frenchie (the subterranean South End bistro which is helmed by part of the team from Jackie Robert’s well-established empire), Pabu Izikaya, Benedetto (which has more than filled the space left by Jody Adams’ Rialto at the Charles Hotel), and Mario Batali’s dynamic duo of Babbo Pizzeria and Terra at Eataly Boston. To ash it all down, there were offerings from Stella Artois, Bombay Sapphire, Ketel One, Dark Knight wine, Virginia Distillery, and a provocative pairing featuring our own Polar Beverages and Blue Fire Coffee, who released their new Holiday Blend at the event to rave reviews. And while many of these offerings were of the adult variety, the venue kept the kid inside alive as guests played with bubbles and dinosaur bones as they drank bubbly and dug into ribs.

As DJ Ryan Brown spun reminiscent tunes, generous ticket holders could also try on the latest releases from Cadillac, participating in an interactive display that encouraged them to envision themselves living the highlife even more completely while enjoying the best of what American labor can provide. Speaking of providing, the beneficiary of the night provides meals for millions in Eastern MA and is always looking for more support. That is why events like Taste are so important and why they remain so popular among the cooking and dining sets alike.