Paul O’Connell, of Chez Henri, Bob Sargent, of Arlington’s Flora, and Chris Schlesinger, of East Coast Grill, were recognized after cooking together at a Thursday benefit for farmers markets. (Photo: Nick Pavey)

The Urban Barn Dance held Thursday was the most successful in the fundraiser’s four-year history, packing its space in the Dante Alighieri Center in Kendall Square and providing plenty of aid to farmers markets throughout the state, organizers said.

“We were thrilled by the turnout of guests who support our mission,” said Jeff Cole, executive director of the Mass Farmers Markets group. “The Urban Barn Dance was a harvest celebration of our markets, our farmers and the supporting community members who shop farmers markets.”

There was live music, contra dancing and a “spectacular” silent auction, organizers said, but of foremost importance to the foodies crowding the room was the meal their $50 or greater donation bought — a feast prepared by Chris Schlesinger, of Inman Square’s East Coast Grill, Paul O’Connell, of Chez Henri near Harvard Square, and Bob Sargent of flora Restaurant in Arlington.

“It was a great event,” said Mary Ruhl, a Winchester who came into Cambridge for the event. “It’s not every night you can enjoy the work of three chefs in one meal.”

The meal included beets, Brussels sprouts, “last hurrah tomatoes, never-seen-before squash-maple mash (a ‘must imitate’), grilled hake and other delights,” said Rachel Greenberger, director of the Food Sol healthy food initiative at Babson University and writer on sustainable agriculture for the Boston examiner.com.

Kendall Square’s farmers market runs today for the last time this season from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Main Street, near the T stop. (The Farmers’ Market at Harvard — usually noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays at Oxford and Kirkland streets — just held its final day of the season.)

Central Square’s farmers market runs Mondays from noon to 6 p.m. through Nov. 21 at the parking lot at Bishop Allen Drive and Norfolk Street, and Harvard Square’s runs Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Charles Hotel Courtyard at 1 Bennett St.

A winter market is to run Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Jan. 7 at 5 Callendar St., near Putnam and Western avenues in Cambridgeport — but is still seeking a name, via a contest that can be entered here.