Offering top-notch entrées, appetizers, beverages and desserts, exactly 49 vendors served samples of their products to more than 700 attendees in a festive atmosphere during Queens Taste 2014 at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel on April 29.

Hosted by the Queens Economic Development Corporation, the twelfth annual extravaganza included performances by a Big Apple Circus clown, two tables full of World’s Fair memorabilia from the Queens Historical Society and The Port Authority of NY & NJ, and special Mets ticket offers.

There was also a taste competition as judged by a team of local foodies and media types. Zenon Taverna, which serves Greek and Cypriot food in Astoria, took Best Entrée honors with a Mediterranean octopus dish, lamb meatballs and taramosalata. Sunnyside’s Murphy’s Seafood Grill, which gave out oysters on a half shell, won Best Appetizer, while DF Mavens, which makes a wide variety of dairy-free ice cream flavors, prevailed as Best Dessert.

“A great time was had by all,” stated QEDC Executive Director Seth Bornstein. “The food, the beverages, the networking, and the upbeat atmosphere were simply fantastic. I’m already looking forward to next year, and I am extremely grateful to our lead sponsor Fairway Market.”

Participants included Amerivents, Bill’s Balls, Brooklyn Brewery, Chee Bonnet Cheesecake Balls, Christos Steak House, Desserts that Matter, DF Mavens, Dog & Duck Gastropub, Drink More Good, Dutch Kills Centraal, e-Desserts, F. Ottomanelli Burgers & Belgian Fries, Fairway Market, Jam Jar Bakery, Granola Bar None, La Adelita, La Fusta, Little Bird Chocolates, Magna Ristorante, Mama’s of Corona, Manhattan Beer Co., McClure’s Pickles, Murphy’s Lobster Grill, O Lavrador, Pa-Nash Restaurant, Pine Restaurant, Ponciana Tree, Punzoné Vodka, Queens Brewery, Rose House, Rudy’s Bakery & Café, Sheraton Catering Company, Shiro of Japan, Smoke Kimchee, Soul Snacks Cookie Company, The Turkish Cultural Center, Take a Break and I’ll Bake, Tropisec Uncle Peter’s Restaurant, Yardie Treats, Yoli and Zenon Taverna.

Event sponsors included Fairway Market, Daily News, Kaufman Astoria Studios, Con Edison, Resorts World Casino New York City, The Port Authority of NY & NJ, TD Bank, Emily Lin + Associates, Capital One Bank, Elmhurst Hospital Center, Farrell Fritz, Citi Community Development, The Mattone Group, Queens Center, Astoria Federal Savings, Aurora Electric, Brownstoner Queens, The D&F Development Group, Flushing Bank, The Driscoll Group, Serralles USA, Sholom & Zuckerbrot Realty, Ares Printing & Publishing, Hollis Center Mall, USTA: Billie Jean National Tennis Center and Z Hotel NYC. ‘)}