Sixteen Los Gatos restaurants responded to a door-to-door request by volunteers for participation. Some are veterans of previous years, while some are new to town and the event. Each restaurant will have a booth manned by teen and adult volunteers and will provide taste portions of the food that is typical of what it offers from its menu. Taste tickets are $1. That's a bargain considering that some restaurants view a taste as a portion big enough to satisfy a light eater, according to Jeff Miller, volunteer publicist for A Place for Teens.

Food will be served between 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. The menu will look something like this: penne pasta with garlic sausage from Café Marcella; meat and vegetarian pastas from Campo de Bocce; hamburgers and hot dogs from Los Gatos Meats and Smokehouse; barbecued ribs from C.B. Hannegan's; cheese and pepperoni pizzas from Pizza My Heart; finger-size sandwiches from Le Boulanger; "a number of our signature pizzas" from Willow Street; a filo cup with crab mashed potatoes topped with seared scallops from Viva Neighborhood Eatery; chocolate fondue from the Wine Cellar; Toll House cookies from Toll House Hotel Restaurant (a tribute to improvisation, considering the restaurant kitchen is closed until mid-November due to extensive remodeling); and gelato from Dolce Spazio.

That's not all. Dishes not yet selected at newspaper deadline time will be provided by Tapestry Bistro, Valeriano's Italian Restaurant, the Pastaria and Market, Steamer's Grillhouse and California Café.

This year, A Place for Teens, located near Los Gatos High School, hopes to raise funds to match what was earned during last year's banner year, propitiously held in conjunction with the reopening of the Town Plaza after its extensive renovation, according to the center's director, Mike Loya. He's an employee of the Los Gatos­Saratoga Community Education and Recreation Department on contract to the center. To rev up the atmosphere, five bands will play throughout the afternoon, and a silent auction will feature items donated by local merchants. There will be face painting and games for youngsters.

Community funding for the not-for-profit teen center provides a supervised place for all teens to drop in after school. There are concerts, computer activities, video games and, eventually, there will be lunch beyond what snack machines provide now. "We're waiting for a town permit," says Loya, referring to plans for the lunch facility. Already, he says, organizers have talked with Pizza My Heart about providing cheese and pepperoni pizzas three days a week at its regular prices. Tuesdays and Thursdays are still open for another lunch provider.

The 2,600-square-foot facility recently underwent a $40,000 remodeling that resulted in a new textured concrete floor, fresh paint, new furniture and games. Funding provides for classes geared to teen interests, like sushi-making and car stereo installation. It also supports a concert series that will begin Oct. 9.

The Great Los Gatos Food Fest will be held in the Los Gatos Town Plaza on Sept. 26 from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased on-site. For further information, call Jeff Miller at 408.483.1697.