Queens Taste 2013: Another Year, Another Successful Gala with the Borough’s Best Culinary, Beverage, Business and Entertainment Industries.

A wide variety of top-notch food and drink options provided the basis for a festive atmosphere as 40 vendors and more than 900 attendees filled their bellies and networked during Queens Taste 2013 at Citi Field’s Caesars Club on May 14.

Hosted by the Queens Economic Development Corporation, the eleventh annual extravaganza included performances by a Big Apple Circus clown, an appearance by 1969 Miracle Met Ed Kranepool, a booth displaying work by local emerging artists curated by Jackson Heights-based Zoescope and a stand-up routine by Steve Hofstetter of the Laughing Devil Comedy Club in Long Island City.

There was also a taste competition as judged by a team of local foodies and media types. The Pine Restaurant, which is located at the Holiday Inn LaGuardia in Corona, and Woodside’s Ottomanelli’s shared Best Entrée honors. The Pine served Chicken Scarpariello, while Ottomanelli’s offered specially spiced hamburgers.

McClure’s Pickles, which was providing spicy and garlicky gherkins, won Best Appetizer, while Take a Break and I’ll Bake, which specializes in high-quality baked goods for fundraisers, special events and restaurants, won Best Dessert. This brand new company’s table was full of cream cheese pies with berries on top, muffins and pineapple upside down cakes.

“We are extremely happy with how everything turned out, and I’m already looking forward to next year,” stated QEDC Executive Director Seth Bornstein. “The food, the beverages, the networking and the upbeat, almost giddy, atmosphere really couldn’t be beaten, and it looked like everybody had a great time.”