Foodies packed the Holiday Inn Tuesday night to get samples and sometimes second helpings of juicy pork sliders, spicy thai fried rice and an abundance of other fare from 34 local restaurants as part of the 13th Taste of Somerville restaurant showcase and fundraiser, an event organized by the Somerville Chamber of Commerce.

Taste of Somerville first-timer Alyssa Rosen sat with a friend noshing mixed vegetables from Fasika Ethiopian Restaurant under one of the two tents that extended the showcase outside. 

"This type of event is a great way to allow residents to try different places and sample some variety—and then tell all their friends," she said. 

Mayor Joseph Curtatone arrived at the event "starving" and quickly popped in his mouth a peanut butter and marshmallow cream truffle. 

"I'm going to try a little everything, especially the restaurants I haven't frequented as much,' he said before heading to taste a Pinot Gris at the Ball Square Fine Wines table. 

Several sweet-toothed attendees, like 38-year-old Maria Carpenter, stacked cupcakes from Kickass Cupcakes, Lyndell's Bakery and Holiday Inn on their plates. 

Carpenter, who favors the chocolate on chocolate ones from Lyndell's, had all day been preparing—but not exactly fasting—for a dessert binge. 

"I went for a long run so that I would have room," she said. "I also didn't have any sweets, except for two cookies this morning." 

Cupcake truck and cafe coming to city 
Several eateries publicized new services. The manager of Kickass Cupcakes, Alexis Peterson, said the Davis Square bakery planned to launch a food truck next month that would crisscross Somerville, Cambridge, Boston and beyond. 

"We'll go where people want us," she said. 

Meanwhile, chef Danny Kallis dished out mango smoothies and caramel-salted brownies that he plans to serve at a new cafe at The Center for Arts at the Armory. The cafe should open in a few weeks, said Susan Fielder, the venue's director of events and operations. 

Want not, waste not 
After attendees polished off their plates, they tossed them not in the trash but in separate recycling and compost containers. 

Mareen Barillaro, a member of Somerville Climate Action, oversaw several volunteers who showed guests where to put their food, paper plates and plastic cups. 

"We're trying to reduce waste at an event that does nothing but create waste," she said. 

Door2Door Transportation third-time beneficiary of Taste of Somerville  
The money raised from the event will go to Door2Door Transportation, a non-profit organization that relies on bright green vans to take elderly and disabled residents to doctor's appointments, the grocery store and on other outings. 

Executive Director Reed Cochran said she hoped the proceeds would total near $50,000 so that the organization could keep the tanks of its vans full. 

"We are really challenged by rising gas costs," Cochran said. "And with budget cuts, it's incredibly difficult to run a transportation operation."