Symone Crawford, the executive director of Dorchester-based Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA), and her staff and volunteers welcomed hundreds of residents, housing advocates, and business leaders to a packed IBEW Local 103 union hall last Thursday for the 15th annual “Taste of Dorchester,” a combination culinary and fundraising event held to boost housing initiatives and first-time homebuyer programs administered by MAHA.

Later, as live jazz from Sleeping Bee played, Crawford told the gathering that the program was the most successful they had put on.

Murl’s Kitchen of Four Corners was the top vote getter in this year’s restaurant category, and Dorchester’s Sweet Teez Bakery won in the dessert ranks. Restaurants who have participated in each of the event’s 15 years include El Barrio Mexican Grill, The Ice Creamsmith, Irie Jamaican Style Restaurant, Shanti Taste of India, and Tavolo Ristorante.

Other participants were Bowery Bar, Chill on Park, Comfort Kitchen, DW Brewpub, Family Affair, home.stead bakery and café, Kapow, Lower Mills Tavern, Lucy’s American Tavern, Savin Bar + Kitchen, Top Shelf Cookies, and Yellow Door Taqueria.

The Dorchester Reporter was a media sponsor of the event.

Photos by Seth Daniel.

District 3 Council candidate Joel Richards with his campaign manager, Vaden Patterson.

From First Republic Bank, Cornelius Prioleau, Claudia Russell, and Lucas Brown.

Melvin Vieira, past president of the Greater Boston Association of Realtors, Tom Callahan, former MAHA director, and Eileen Callahan.

Johvonne Claybourne and Kai Madyum.

Eleanor Titus-Williams, of Shanti Taste of India, serves up a tasty plate.

From Tavolo Ristorante, Tara O’Riordan, Susan Lawlor, and Michael Lawlor.

Vinny Gregory and Mark Zarse from Salem Five Bank.

Shameeka Moreno and Kathy Brown, of the Boston Tenants Coalition, with Councillor Brian Worrell.

Solomon Chowdhury, of Shanti, Josh Wilson, of Dorchester Cares Coalition, and Jack Wu, of home.stead.

Linda Burnett and Elain Miller show off their jackfruit sliders.

From Columbia-Savin Hill, Elizabeth Doyle, Catherine O’Neill, representing Centre Court Partners, and Kristin Hoag.

Karl Renney of Eastern Bank, with Kate Renney, Johanna, and Brian O’Connor.

It was all about a fun night out for this great group of friends: Geri McNair, Bessie Little-Moore, Crystal Thompson, and Doreen Boddie.