Put 24 of the hardest to resist restaurants into one space and what do you make a beeline for? “Cupcakes and beer,â€? said Jeff Double. “I haven’t eaten all day. I’ve made it about a quarter of the way around the room, then I reversed myself to try some sweets.â€? Savor Pittsburgh: A Celebration of Cuisine unleashed itself on the evening of September 28, drawing a crowd of 1,500 to the Petersen Events Center in Oakland, severing all ties to calorie counting, and inspiring more than one lament that there was no way you couldn’t resist coming back for seconds. “Oh, I’d never turn anyone away,â€? said Oz Rodriguez, manning Pallantia’s Paella Campastre while chef Juan Gonzalez stepped out for a minute. Early on, the VIP reception welcomed 500 for some private pre-gaming, the highest amount of people that portion of the event has ever drawn. By the time KDKA’s Susan Koeppen and Larry Richert began emceeing, it required deft maneuvering to move through the crowd. Now going on its 12th year, Savor proceeds benefitted Magee Women’s Research Institute & Foundation. Participating restaurants included the likes of Hyde Park, Bella Christie and Lil Z’s Sweet Boutique, 424 Walnut, Pirata, Butler Brew Works, Spork, University Club, Gigi’s Cupcakes, and McCormick & Schmick’s. “It takes an army of people to pull this off,â€? said chair Michelle Kirsop, whose husband, Ricky, founded the event. “Lots of volunteers. Lots of planning.â€? Butler Brew Works won the People’s Choice Award for its Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin and Dish of the Year went to Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse for its Surf & Turf, Roasted Bone Marrow with Oxtial Marmalade and Lobster Pot Pie. The event raised $250K for Magee Women’s Research Institute. Spied: Ed Palumbo, Dr. Art Levine and Linda Melada, Dr. Vonda Wright and Peter Taglianetti, Shellie Hipsky, Linda Habib, Diane Wainwright, Shannon Martinez, Kelly Frost, Steve Reed, Travis Tuttle, Nick Fazzoni. Email Newsletters TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.