On September 12, Boston area restaurateurs, football players past and present, and fans joined together in the Atrium at Davio’s Boston at the first annual Taste of the NFL Kickoff for delicious food, wine, and fun, to benefit The Greater Boston Food Bank. Taste of the NFL is a national event, taking place just before the Superbowl in the host city. Each year, this massive event draws a crowd from around the country, with proceeds benefitting food banks around the country. Throughout the NFL season, cities around the country do “kickoff” events, with all proceeds going directly to the food bank in that city. Steve DeFillipo, owner of Davio’s Boston, attended the Superbowl Taste of the NFL last year, and set out to bring a kickoff event to Boston. Notable members of the crowd included Max Lane, Andre Tippett, Gino Cappelletti, Joe Andruzzi, Fred Smerlas and Steve DeOssie. The result—the 250 person event raised more than $6,400 for The Greater Boston Food Bank. Enough to provide more than 15,000 meals for those in need.