Elected Leaders Headline 26th Annual Taste of the North End

Continuing a longstanding neighborhood tradition, the 26th Annual Taste of the North End brought top elected officials and hundreds of festival-goers for a night of food and charity on Friday, April 26th at the Steriti Memorial Ice Rink in Boston’s North End.

(L-R) City Councilor Lydia Edwards, Mayor Marty Walsh, TONE Co-host Donato Frattaroli, Mass. First Lady Lauren Baker, NEW Health’s Dr. Elizabeth Turnock, Modern Pastry’s Rosaria Picariello, TONE Co-host and NEW Health CEO James Luisi, Mass. Governor Charlie Baker, State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and State Senator Joe Boncore.

Joining the crowd were US Congressman Stephen Lynch, Mass. Governor Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and local elected officials including State Senator Joe Boncore, State Representative Aaron Michlewitz and City Councilor Lydia Edwards. Former City Councilor Sal LaMattina was also on hand with event organizers Donato Frattaroli of Il Molo and James Luisi, CEO of NEW Health.

(L-R) US Congressman Stephen Lynch, NEW Health CEO James Luisi, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Mass. State Senator Joe Boncore

This year’s 2019 “Restauranteur Award” was presented to longtime Taste of the North End supporters, The Picariello Family (accepted by Rosaria Picariello) owners of Hanover Street’s iconic bakery, Modern Pastry. Receiving the 2019 TONE Community Supporter Award was Dr. Elizabeth Turnock from NEW Health.

TONE 2019 Award Presentation with TONE Co-hosts Donato Frattaroli and James Luisi and award recipients Dr. Elizabeth Turnock (NEW Health) and Rosalia Picariello (Modern Pastry).

Of course, it wouldn’t be the Taste of the North End without showcase samples from more than 30 popular North End eateries with a wide array of delectable appetizers, cheeses, entrees and desserts. Revelers also sipped on refreshing libations from area wine and beer distributors.

Modern Pastry table at 2019 Taste of the North End

Billy Costa, radio personality and NESN’s Dining Playbook host, was the emcee for the event that included a high-end silent auction with iconic local photographs, hotel and restaurant packages, tickets to Boston sports events and memorabilia.

(L-R) Master of Ceremonies Billy Costa (NESN’s Dinng Playbook), TONE Co-host Donato Frattaroli (Il Molo), Mass. First Lady Lauren Baker, Mass. Governor Charlie Baker, State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and TONE Co-host James Luisi (NEW Health)

Mayor Marty Walsh (right) talks with Billy Costa (NESN’s Dining Playbook) and TONE Co-host Donato Frattaroli (Il Molo)

(L-R) TONE Co-host Donato Frattaroli (Il Molo), TONE Master of Ceremonies Billy Costa (NESN’s Dining Playbook), TONE organizer Donato Frattaroli, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, TONE organizer Gianni Frattaroli and Chef Pino Maffeo (Il Molo)

Event organizers Donato Frattaroli of Il Molo and James Luisi, CEO of NEW Health co-chaired the event. Zach Goodale was the event coordinator with committee members Donato Frattaroli, Gianni Frattaroli, Daniel Leonard, Mary Wright and Patrick Lyons.

NEW Health booth at 2019 Taste of the North End

NEW Health and TONE organizers work the gift basket raffle

The Taste of the North End benefits the North End Waterfront Health Center’s critical medical and social service programs, as well as other local organizations such as: the Eliot School, St. John School, Harvard-Kent School, North End Against Drugs, North End Athletic Association (NEAA) and the North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC).