Photos: Taste of Berkley

The annual Berkley Days celebration kicked off Thursday with a new event: the Taste of Berkley food and wine festival, which proved to be a smashing success.

The event featured offerings from Hogger's BBQ, , , , , , , , , , and . in Berkley served adult beverages.

The 21-and-older event benefited Berkley-Huntington Woods Youth Assistance, in the make good decisions and offers a camp program, mentoring and family education.

"The bottom line is, it's for the kids," said organizer and BHWYA board member Alan Kideckel, who added he was very pleased with the turnout and the participation of local restaurants.

Berkley City Council member Steve Baker said approximately 200 people attended the Taste of Berkley, which organizers hope will be an annual event. The crowd included Berkley Mayor Marilyn Stephan, Huntington Woods Mayor Ronald Gillham, Berkley City Council members Baker and Lisa Platt Auensen, Director Richard Eshman, representatives from the office of Sen. John Pappageorge (R-Troy) and many others.

Guests sampled delicious eats, including scones of many flavors, chicken wings, colorful cookies, pulled pork sandwiches, turkey wraps, hummus with pitas, and much more. Tickets to the event cost $25 each.

"For me, in this day and age, $50 is a significant amount for a couple, so we appreciate it," said Betty Smith, BHWYA board co-chairperson.

"Financially, I think all charities are having problems," she said. "We'd like to keep our programming at the status quo, so this helps."

The organization's camp program alone costs $10,000 to $13,000, Smith said.

BHWYA board co-chairperson Joyce Ross said the turnout exceeded expectations.

"The people who bought tickets seem to be enjoying themselves. They're not leaving," she said.

The participating restaurants provided positive feedback, and several already had said they'd like to participate again next year, Ross said.

"The kids win, we win, and the people who participated win," she said.

. The festival runs through Sunday.