Neill and Alex Simakas hosted more than 70 guests at their home for Taste of Sewickley on Sept. 9. The fundraiser for KidsVoice helps foster children in Allegheny County with everything from providing legal counsel in the courtroom to assistance with emotional support. The organization helps young people up to 24 years old.

Neill Simakas said as attendees at the event since its inception, they felt it was time to open their home and contribute in a more significant way.

“Taste of Sewickley puts a unique spin on the typical fundraising dinner,” Neill Simakas said. “Each community volunteer contributes their time and talent to create a very special summer evening right here in our neighborhood.”

Co-organizers of the event were Chuck and Barb Moser and Greg and Susan Kaminski of Sewickley. Chuck Moser and Greg Kaminski are on the board at KidsVoice.

The couples partnered with more than 30 volunteers for this year’s event — which raised a record amount of more than $125,000.

Since its inception, the event has raised $725,000.

The evening was perfect, from the food to the company to the weather, according to Garth Graeper, director of development for KidsVoice. Taste of Sewickley has grown over time, he said, from its beginnings as a potluck among friends to now being a must-attend event that has sold out every year.

“It’s such a fun evening,” Graeper said. “There is such a sense of community at this event.”

Guests were welcomed with a signature cocktail, a Kleo-patra, which has Kleos mastiha spirit — a low calorie, low sugar and low alcohol by volume botanical spirit made with mastiha, an ancient Greek superfood — lemon juice and basil leaves.

Appetizers included artisan breads, dips, and vegan grape leaves. After a cheese and olives antipasti course, guests were served Avgolemono, a Greek lemon chicken soup. There was a Turkish white bean salad and slow baked Turkish salmon followed by a pomegranate sorbet. The main course of grilled lamb chops were donated by local purveyors Elysian Fields Farms from Waynesburg, Greene County.

Dessert was a semolina cake with sour cherry sauce.

“For me, this event is a win-win,” said Chuck Moser, KidsVoice board member and event co-organizer. “First, we get to raise money for KidsVoice, which is a cause that Barb and I really connect with. The roughly 3,000 kids in Allegheny County in the foster system often have a very difficult road through no fault of their own. So having the opportunity to make things just a little bit less difficult for those children is worth any work that we do to organize the event. Secondly, I get to participate in throwing an awesome party with my good friend Greg Kaminski. It is a chance to be together with the Sewickley community and celebrate our collective support for a great purpose.”

Kaminski, said the chefs love the opportunity to display their diverse culinary skills for the benefit.

One of the chefs, Emily Durham, said she loves teaming up with colleagues to plan the menu and develop recipes.

“We work with local farmers for the best ingredients, and then pair dishes with the perfect wine so our guests get to experience a five-star tasting menu with each beautiful and tasty course that leaves the kitchen,” Durham said. “It is exciting for everyone involved.”

“We are grateful for another wonderful Taste of Sewickley, and to all the volunteers and supporters who make this event so successful each year,” said Scott Hollander, KidsVoice executive director. “The food was delicious, the rain never came, and the guests were as enthusiastic as ever to celebrate and come together as a community to support KidsVoice. It means a lot to hear from those involved about why this cause resonates for them.”

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