Added Ingredients Sizzle Taste of the Caldwells

Three years ago, a little more than 200 attended the inaugural Taste of the Caldwells that raised about $18,000 at the Women's Club.

Initially inspired by the Taste of Essex, the Caldwell event expanded last year to nearly 300 attendees and raised $20,000 at Caldwell College.

Despite a rough economy and a torrential weekend storm, approximately 325 people paid $45 a ticket to the third annual event Sunday at the college's student center that benefited the Caldwell-West Caldwell Education Foundation. A gross total of about $30,000 was brought in, according to organizer Christine Corliss.

"Since I came in July, everyone has told me about the event," said Dr. Nancy Blatner, who became Caldwell College's eighth president over the summer. "It's delightful to sample the food. Really enjoying people coming on campus."

The partnership with Caldwell College the past two years has been one addition that has fostered the event's expansion. 

More than 20 restaurants and businesses from the greater Caldwells area participated this year, while other members of the community—including James Caldwell High School and Grover Cleveland Middle School students—volunteered to help raise money to maintain the district's high academic standards, Corliss said.

"100 percent is donated, apart from plastic forks and plates," Corliss said.

Student volunteers from Caldwell High served and bused tables. The lacrosse, softball and basketball teams along with some eighth-graders from Grover Cleveland Middle School all joined in to help as well.

Caldwell College, The Kiwanis Club of Caldwell-West Essex, The Norman and Bettina Roberts Foundation, Calandra's Italian Village and Lakeland Bank were among the event's primary sponsors.

"People work so hard, all for the kids," said Jean Sidel, one of those in attendance and a good friend of Corliss. "They're wonderful. They made it the best event for the whole year."

The large turnout impressed many of those who attended, including Louis LaSalle, vice president of external affairs at Saint Barnabas, who said events like this are vital to the community.

"I love it. It's spectacular," he said. "When we get this many businesses out, it's a success, attributed to the people running it and the college allowing the room, that's what makes a community a community."

The annual fundraiser has become what Corliss calls a "signature event" in the community.

"It's a great community event," she said. "It's a signature event that helps raise money for the school system in a fun way."

The Rotary Club of the Caldwells was incorrectly identified as one of the Taste of the Caldwells sponsors in an earlier version of this story.

Download the movie