Nary an empty stomach could be found at Friday’s big annual fundraiser for Mama’s Kitchen, a food extravaganza that pulls in the crème de la crème of leading restaurants and catering companies throughout San Diego County.

Now in its 14th year, the 2005 theme “Mama Goes Wild” exemplified the culinary offerings from more than 65 participating vendors flaunting everything from duck-stuffed tomatoes and Tahitian coconut chicken to scallop “shooters” and cheesecake martinis.

Held at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla and presented by Sycuan Resort and Casino, the event attracted nearly 800 guests, who paid $125 per person to graze through elaborate food stations staffed by some of San Diego’s most esteemed chefs.

According to Publicist Jamie Lynn Sigler, the event raised about $160,000, based on preliminary net proceeds and other donations, which is $10,000 more than last year’s benefit. The money, she adds, will allow for at least 74,000 meals to be served to people affected by HIV/AIDS.

Comprising the indoor-outdoor food trod were restaurants such as Parallel 33, serving Asian-cured salmon on black-bean pancakes; the Kensington Grill, doling out salmon-lobster mousse; Terra, dressing up pork carnitas with raspberry-habanero jelly; and Morton’s, luring guests to its table with filet mignon sandwiches. At the Star of the Sea table, people stopped in their tracks to zero in on the foie gras custard piped into hollowed-out eggshells. Just a few feet away, award-winning Chef Bernard Guillas of the Marine Room doled out yellow squash soup with caviar and fennel pollen.

First-time participants included Chef Jason Siebert of Café Cerise, who towed in “100 pounds of pig” for making roast pork with cherry chutney. Baja Betty’s also joined the ranks of newcomers with enough carnitas tacos to feed an army. And the restaurant Spread, known for its extensive line of peanut butter, presented instead a colorful display of rare organic vegetables with yuzu vinaigrette.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” remarked David Gray of Encinitas, who received a ticket to the event as a gift from his partner. “These restaurants are all putting their best foot forward,” he added while stepping away with a full plate of desserts presented by Sycuan Casino.

The annual fundraiser is held each year on the Friday before Mother’s Day. For more information about other Mama’s Kitchen events, call (619) 233-6262.