Here’s an easy pitch: Do you want to help an incredible cause (feeding the hungry) while being served by some of the top chefs in the region?
Thought so. Here are the details.
On Oct. 9 at the Edgewood Country Club, Table to Table (New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization) will welcome more than 25 notable chefs (listed below) to its Chefs Gala, the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year.
Guests, after getting a chance to sample numerous small bites and cocktails during a networking hour, will then be seated for a sit-down dinner. Each of the chefs will be assigned two tables, where they will personally cook tableside a signature multicourse meal for the guests (and, we’re guessing, charm them, as well).
About Table to Table
Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. It works with food businesses of all types to rescue fresh, nutritious surplus food and deliver it for free to 300-plus social service organizations, pantries, shelters, community produce markets and centralized distribution hubs.
Through community partnerships, Table to Table reaches families, children, veterans, older adults and others in need, improving food security, nutritional access and better health. Since 1999, it has rescued more than 120,700 tons of nutritious food — enough for more than 241.4 million meals — and delivered it to our neighbors in need, while also saving over 544 metric tons of methane from impacting climate change by preventing food waste.
The Chefs Gala offers a distinctive personal dining experience in the setting of an elegant gala with unforgettable cuisine, impeccable wine pairings, an exciting live auction and so much more — all in support of Table to Table’s mission to rescue food, reduce food waste and relieve hunger in our communities.
This year, celebrity chef Christian Petroni will be the featured honoree.
“We are delighted to welcome Christian Petroni as our honoree at this year’s Chefs Gala,” said Heather Thompson, executive director, Table to Table. “Not only is Chris’ passion for food, family and community infectious, he is also strongly aligned with Table to Table’s food rescue mission and has a deep commitment to nourishing our neighbors in need.”
Also at this year’s Chefs Gala, Table to Table will proudly welcome five new members to its Founder’s Table: Edgar Brieva, James P. Bush, Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation, Jamie Milkman and Gerard Woods.
The Founder’s Table was established in 2023 by Table to Table founder Claire Insalata Poulos to recognize individuals, companies and foundations that have provided extraordinary support to the nonprofit over its 26-year history.
Sponsors for this year’s Table to Table’s Chefs Gala include:
- Presenting: American Express
- Grand: Crestron
- Platinum: Arca Restaurant and Lounge, David and Kathleen Hildes, Inserra ShopRite Supermarkets and Summit Associates
- Gold: Restoration Technologies
- Silver: Takasago and Tito’s Homemade Vodka
- Bronze: Charles Schwab and the YMCA Meadowlands.
To help Table to Table in its mission to reduce food waste and address food insecurity in New Jersey, you can make a donation today — every dollar you contribute provides resources for the organization to rescue and deliver food for 10 healthy meals. For more information on Table to Table, click here.
Participating chefs and breweries, wineries and distilleries include:
Chefs
- John Michael Beam, Afficionado Coffee Roasters
- Brandon Campney, The Sterling Inn
- AJ Capella, Summit House
- Bianca Concepcion and Jeff Galan, Fossil Farms
- Michael Cosenza, MIke’s Pasta Shoppe
- Mary Cumella and Logan Ramirez, Gioia Mia
- Ryan DePersio, Battello, Kitchen Step, Ember & Eagle & TillingHouse
- David Felton, The Morris Proper
- Leia Gaccione, The Saint Clair
- Felix Gonzalez, Viaggio Ristorante
- Melany Gonzalez, Saddle River Inn
- Alex Gorant, Axia Taverna
- Bryan Gregg, Blue Morel
- Dan Lipow, Foraged Feast
- Christina Marcelli, Marcelli Formaggi
- Off the Hook Seafood
- Sal Pisani, Jersey Artisan Co.
- Timothy Quinlan, Ava’s Kitchen & Bar
- Andrew Riccatelli, Bacarosa
- Dean Schreefer, Echo Lake Country Club
- Robert Sigona, Gelotti
- Tom Silverstri, ORA
- Melissa Stanard, The Goods
- Lawrence Talis, The Committed Pig
- Joe Tartamella, Canoe Brook Country Club
- Geoff Taylor, The 130 Club
- Christina Vene, Cakes of Wrath
- Wine pairings provided by Chuck Russo’s Wine & Spirit World
Breweries, wineries & distilleries
- Frankie Medina, JCR Hospitality, Battello, Kitchen Step, Ember & Eagle & TillingHouse
- Dirty Pelican
- Don Julio
- Ghost Hawk Brewery
- Sangri
- Silk City Distillers
- Tito’s
- Wilson Daniels Wines
