AMSTERDAM, N.Y. -- From pizza to pasta, soup to cupcakes, hundreds got the chance take a bite out of the rug city.

Local leaders were serving up some of the samples, including Assemblyman George Amedore, who donned his chef’s hat and Mayor Ann Thane took orders.

"I was excited to be waiting tables tonight. This was a lot of fun. It benefits the community and you can't beat it," Thane said.

At the third annual Taste of Amsterdam, empty plates equaled plenty of dough for the local Dollars for Scholars chapter. Last year, the group brought in close to $8,000.

"In the past, we have funded four $1,000 scholarships for graduating seniors," board member Carol Greco said.

The other half of the money goes to academic competitions, like "Odyssey of the Mind."

"We fund those kinds of activities, which school districts wouldn't be able to do on their own," said Greco.

This isn't just a win for the scholarship fund, but for the twenty some restaurants that are here as well. Since people get to taste a little bit from each one, it gives them a chance to find their favorite.

"My favorite food would defiantly be the vodka penne from Michael’s," one resident said.

"Honestly the only place I ate was Polar Freeze," said another.

And by the looks of tongues and teeth across the room, she wasn't alone.