Hunter Steakhouse One of Many Spotlighted at Taste of Aliso Niguel

There was a lof of mingling at the fifth annual fundraiser, Taste of Aliso Niguel on Saturday night as more than 600 people sipped drinks and gobbled food to benefit

For $35 a ticket, guests dined out fare from nearly two dozen restaurants, including the newly opened . About two-thirds of the ticket price was earmarked for school programs.

The event was held at what organizer EvaMarie Morris called the “plain ol’ parking garage” of the . Morris, president of Parents for Aliso Niguel, and a team of volunteers started planning the event in mid-July.

At various tables, groups ranging from boys' lacrosse to the high school marching band auctioned off hotel stays, wine baskets, photography sessions and other items. At one table, Linda Pearlman, whose daughter belongs to the pep squad, used pom-poms to promote a 50/50 raffle.  

Writer Alexis Hodoyán contributed to this report