Vesta Dipping Grill's Plates for the Peak benefit raises $20,000 for Urban Peak -- and the new Steuben's truck makes its street debut

Lori Midson

Matt Selby on a plate!

At last night's Plates the Peak, a fundraiser/silent auction to benefit Urban Peak, fifteen of Denver's star chefs convened in the hellishly hot kitchen of Vesta Dipping Grill to feed the sweaty gastronauts who grubbed on everything from chicken-fried steak biscuit sliders and lamb shoulder mini "Phillys" to blue crab rolls, duck confit and chocolate ganache with crunchy pearls.

According to Vesta owner Josh Wolkon, more than $20,000 was raised for Urban Peak, a local non-profit that that rescues kids from the perils of homelessness. "It's really amazing how much fun and how easy it can be to raise a chunk of change for a great cause. Both the diners and the chefs are awesome, awesome, awesome," says Wolkon.

You want to know what else is awesome? The new food truck from Steuben's, which made its debut appearance last night in front of Vesta's front door, turning out pork sliders, skinny fries and sugar-smacked fried pork bites. (Someone should turn those into intravenous drugs.)

Want to see what you missed? Food porn pics from the party are after the jump.

Lori Midson

The debut appearance of the Steuben's food truck was a huge draw at last night's Plates for the Peak.

Lori Midson

The truck crew was all smiles, despite the sweltering heat.

Lori Midson

There you have it, people: The Steuben's truck menu. Hoo-boy!

Lori Midson

Colorado bass tartare with yozu and chives in spring radish cups from Paul Reilly, Encore.

Lori Midson

Sour orange-braised pork tortita with housemade pickles and chile pepper jam from Brendon Doyle, Jonesy's EatBar.

Lori Midson

White anchovy and roasted pepper rigatoni with Peruvian white bean puree and truffled crema from Kenny Turk, Vesta.

Lori Midson

Chicken-fried steak biscuit sliders with sausage aioli and green chile egg salad from Tyler Wiard, Elway's Cherry Creek.

Lori Midson

Watermelon, prosciutto and mint skewers with a balsamic reduction from Wade Kirwan, Vesta.

Lori Midson

TAG's Troy Guard and Steuben's chef de cuisine and head truck dude Brandon Biederman.

Lori Midson

Smoked andouille sausage on an heirloom tomato crouton with scallion aioli, microgreens and Tabasco syrup from Brandon Foster, Vesta.

Lori Midson

Best chocolate dessert ever from Keegan Gerhard, D Bar Desserts. And I don't even like chocolate.

Lori Midson

Chocolate ganache, cremeux, Chantilly cream and crunchy pearls from Keegan Gerhard, D Bar Desserts.