While Carla Cloud was pleased the annual Taste of Downtown Aiken sold almost all of its 300 tickets, there was something else about the event that excited her even more.

"I'm really excited about the kids being involved and the connections made," said Ms. Cloud, executive director of the Aiken Downtown Development Association, which used Tuesday's event as a fundraiser.

About 15 Aiken High School students with the school's ProStart culinary program volunteered for the event that highlighted the cuisine in downtown Aiken's restaurants. Some of the students had the chance to step inside the kitchens of participating restaurants.

"He had them in there right away," Aiken High teacher Jean Gorthy said of Bradley Czajka of Oliv'a.

At Oliv'a, Preston Woodard, an Aiken High sophomore, served freshly made marinara sauce with the arancini, an Italian risotto ball stuffed with mozzarella.

"I like cooking, so I thought this would be a good experience," said Preston.

Ms. Gorthy said she hopes to form partnerships with the restaurants and have restaurateurs serve on her advisory board.

Patrons had the chance to sample dishes from 14 restaurants throughout downtown Aiken.

There were chili dogs and hot dogs at City Billiards, smoked pork/beef brisket mini sandwiches at Papa Russ's BBQ, shrimp and sausage Creole over rice at West Side Bowery and Asian wraps at Plum Pudding.

Desserts included pumpkin bread a la mode at Sweet Cow Creamery, red velvet cake from Desserves and chocolate fudge with homemade real cream and butter fudge from Up & Away Balloons & Fudge.

Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at charmain.brackett@augustachronicle.com.