Culinary Event Celebrates 30 Years of Raising Funds for Project Self-Sufficiency

Hundreds of supporters recently flocked to Perona Farms to supportProject Self-Sufficiency at the 30^th anniversary of northwestern New Jersey’s premier culinary fundraising event, A Taste of Talent.Patrons mingled with chefs from more than 55 celebrated area restaurants, vintners, and breweries and enjoyed their signature beverages, appetizers, entrees, and desserts.The epicurean event raises funds for the non-profit agency which specializes in services for low-income families in the New Jersey counties of Sussex, Morris, Hunterdon, and Warren.Numerous volunteer musicians were on hand to perform during the event at various locations throughout the expansive facility.

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“A Taste of Talent has been the cornerstone of our annual campaign for thirty years and we are immensely grateful to the Avondoglio Family and the many chefs and musicians who have contributed their time, talent, and resources to its success,” remarked Deborah Berry-Toon, Chief Executive Officer, Project Self-Sufficiency.“A Taste of Talent is the crown jewel of culinary events in northwestern New Jersey and an outstanding demonstration of the community’s support for our neighbors in need.”

This year, in recognition of the event’s 30^th anniversary, attendees had the opportunity to participate in drawings for valuable prizes, including jewelry from Tiffany & Co. and a tailgate space at the Project Self-Sufficiency Polo Classic, which will be held on Saturday, September 12^th, at the Grayfields Polo Grounds in Allamuchy.

Participating restaurants included Andre's Lakeside Dining; Angry Erik Brewing; The Barnyard; Black Forest Inn; Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse; Cafe Pierrot; Campagna Cafe & Coffee Roasters; The Capital Grille; Chesapeake Tavern; The Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe; The Circle; Cliff's Homemade Ice Cream; The Copper Kettle; Curd & Cleaver; Czig Meister Brewing; Emily's Hearth; The Farmer's Daughter; Fountain House; Four Sisters Winery; Fran's Farmhouse Kitchen; Fratelli Bakery; Fromage, LLC; George's Wine & Spirits Gallery; Gourmet Gallery; Hudson Farm Club; Hugo De Luca's Italian Deli & Catering; Hunter's Lodge; Jersey Artisan Company; Jersey Girl Brewing; Jersey Rollz; Krogh's Restaurant & Brew Pub; Ladd's Tavern at Pendry Natirar; Lake Mohawk Golf Club; La Vita Italian Specialties Deli & Catering; Long Valley Pub & Brewery; Mama's Cafe Baci; Man Skirt Brewing; Millside Cafe; Mr. Crabby's; Ninety Acres at Pendry Natirar; Norte 175; North Shore House; O'Reilly's Pub & Grill; Passionate Chef; Pattycakes; Perona Farms; Polo's Bar & Grill; Rock Island Lake Club; St. Moritz Grill & Bar; Seasons 52; Sembre; South Sparta Cuisine; Springhouse Dairy & Creamery; Sussex County Community College Culinary Institute; Vernon Brewing; Windsor House Tea Room & Bakery; and Windy Brow Farms.

Project Self-Sufficiency Board of Director member Sue Murphy and her husband, Greg, served as the Honorary Chairpersons of the 2026 A Taste of Talent.“Year after year, we are inspired by the extraordinary cuisine, camaraderie, and genuine commitment to the mission of Project Self-Sufficiency that is demonstrated by the gifted chefs who support A Taste of Talent,” commented Sue Murphy. “We are proud to be a part of such a unique endeavor and such a caring community.”

Financial support for A Taste of Talent was offered at a variety of levels. Silver Circle support was received from Blake and Cathy Ellman; Kathy and Lou Esposito; Francesca Fazzolari; Dolores and James Fernandez; Bruce Gordon; Rich and Sheyl Hoer, Lakeside Construction; David and Margery Inkeles Charitable Foundation; Hilary A. Kruce and Vincent F. Signorile; Brian and Leigh Lytwynec; Breanne and John Marchioni; Susan and Greg Murphy; The Honorable Lorraine and Dr. Tim Parker; J.P. Perry, Acrisure/Henry O. Baker Insurance; Rhoda and Norman Seider; Selective Insurance; and Thorlabs, Inc.

Support at the Chairman’s Table level was provided by Mark and Karen Cummins.

President’s Club support was provided by Franklin Mutual Insurance; Gallant Hope Farm; George’s Salvage Co., Inc.; and James Alexander Corporation.

A Taste of Talent Partners included First Hope Bank; Alissa and Joel Isaacson; Lennar; Harold and Lois Pellow; The Perrella Family. The Printing Center; and the Stocker Bus Company.

Anniversary Celebrants included Cami Financial Group, LLC; Christian and Nina Canzoniero; William and Laura Cowan; the Deacon Family Foundation; Mark Anthony and Mary Ann DeSantis; Econo-Pak; Paris and Virginia Eliades; Julie Killen; Brian and Ron-Dee Lockwood; Gail and Richard Miner; ShopRite/Ronetco Supermarkets, Inc.

Patrons of the event included May Abdo-Matkiwsky; Celine Allen; Atlantic Health, Newton Medical Center; Lana and James Ayers; Steve Bartow and Julie McMahon; Catherine Bawa; Jamie Bernard and Charles Ross, MD; Biondo Investment Advisors, LLC; Amanda Canova and Shawn Sokol; The Carter Family; Comet Security, LLC; Larry and Mary Anne Condit; Mary and James Dicarlo; Farious Net Solutions, LLC; Janet Gusman; Jennifer and Ed Kelly; Daniel and Carolyn Kent; Mandelbaum Barrett PC; George H. Miller III; Chuck and Lora Musilli; Frances and Marvin Naftal; The Neary Family; Northern Rain Irrigation, LLC; Diane and Basil O’Connor; Barbara O’Neill and Gene Bronson; Dr. James Porter; John and Peggy Post; Sterling Financial Group; Tumbleweeds Creative Studio; The Ventricelli Family; Wallkill Group, Inc.; Willco AC, R&H; and Your Part-Time Controller, LLC.

Supporters at the Sponsor level included Joseph and Robin Aboyoun; Dr. Pamela Alberto and Mr. Greg Wroclawski; Jeanne and Martin Apryasz; Daniel Bauer and Marie Brewer; Norman and Agnes Beatty; Elenora Benz and Richard Kelsky; Biondo Investment Advisors, LLC; Joe Borelli and Terry Casaletta; J. Caldwell & Associates, LLC; Chris Carney for Sussex County Clerk; Sally and Andy Chernati; Brian and Beth Chrobock; Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream; The Coltelli Family; William DenHerder, NMJ Properties; Mary and James Dicarlo; Tom and Fran Diffley; Doreen Digiacomo; Rosetta and Ed Ditomasso; Dolan & Dolan, PA; Farmside Landscape & Design; Patricia Felth; Freedom Business Machines; Meg Guiseppi and Andre Palko; Kevin and Kelly Hautau; HQW Architects; Janet and Rob Kummert; Materan Construction; Metropolitan Window Fashions; Peg Mullins and Phyllis Brown; Dennis and Patty Murray; Kathy Nauta Educational Consulting, LLC; Oak Ridge Family Dental; Carl A. Ohlson and Melissa K. Bogert; Oxford Warehouse; Kate and Jim Palmer; Mona Pettenger; Planet Networks; Power With Prestige; Raymond James; Dawn and Jeffrey Schwartz; ShopRite/Ronetco Supermarkets, Inc.; Dave and Liz Silverthorne; Smith-McCracken and Wood Funeral Homes; St. Mary’s Episcopal Church; Transcon Trend Landscaping; Jamie and Gretchen Uitdenhowen; Dr. Richard Vaz; Denise Ward; Claire and Gerry Willetts; Frederick and Renee Zierold.

Music was provided by a variety of individuals and groups, including Deb D’Anne; New Sussex Symphony; Meant to Be; the Pro Tempos; Kate Salerna; students from the Sparta High School Chamber Club; the Stone Soup Players; and the Sussex Brass Quintet.