Last night’s Lovin’ Spoonfuls Ultimate Tailgate event at Sam’s on the waterfront can only be described as a great success. Boston’s top chefs whipped out their knives and served up some of the best “tailgate” fare imaginable while two of Boston’s best mixologists shook their cocktail shakers late into the night. A grand tribute (and large spoon) was given to Mayor Menino for his dedication to the Lovin’ Spoonfuls organization. And former New England Patriot Matt Light also made the rounds, taking pictures with guests (including myself) while supporting the cause.

Despite the fact that the event was truly filled with the “who’s who” of the Boston culinary scene, the true star of the evening was the food rescue non-profit, Lovin’ Spoonfuls. If you haven’t yet heard of the great work that the organization is doing in your community, I highly recommend checking out their website. With the holidays right around the corner, the nonprofits work will be especially critical.

Headquartered in Boston, Lovin’ Spoonfuls facilitates the recovery and distribution of healthy food that would otherwise be discarded. The non-profit’s compelling motto, “There is enough food out there – let’s go get it!,” was reiterated throughout the evening. The non-profit delivers leftover food directly to community organizations where it will have its greatest impact, including neighborhood soup kitchens.

And at the local celebrity-filled event last night, the leaders at Lovin’ Spoonfuls expressed their gratitude to the city of Boston for their dedication and donations to the cause. Since 2010, Lovin’ Spoonfuls has helped recover and distribute more than 750,000 lbs of food across the Greater Boston area.

Check out some of the sights and bites from last night’s spooning event in the photos below.