It was the Samaritans’ first Food Fest Fundraiser and it proved to be a success, "the first of what we hope will be many more," commented one volunteer.

On Sept. 13, the Samaritan Group of Gloucester, on the Crab Deck at River’s Inn, raised approximately $5,600 in order to continue its charitable works in Gloucester.

Under the direction of Sharlene Linn, a member of the board of directors and fundraising chairman, gourmet foods were in abundance for the 100 ticket-holders. To ensure all foods were top notch, several gourmet chefs and cooks volunteered to help.

Chef Erik Speer, who is a friend of Sharlene and Robert Linn, jumped right into the Linns’ kitchen the day before the big event and whipped up such dishes as Seafood Paella, Chicken-Pepper-Pineapple Kabobs and such specialty spreads as Garlic and Cajun Butter. Speer is a corporate chef with Compass Group @Amerigroup.

Erik had asked his friend John McDermott, given the title of sous chef, to ...