Area Designers Join Forces with Local Chefs to Raise Funds for Project Self-Sufficiency

A Taste of Talent will be held at Perona Farms on behalf of Project Self-Sufficiency on Monday, April 18th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. In addition to sampling hors d’oeuvres, entrees and desserts from more than 40 area restaurants, patrons will be invited to bid on table arrangements created by several local designers. Each table may contain place settings for eight, art objects, and decorative items. The highest bidder will take home the contents of the entire table. Celebrating its 20th year, “A Taste of Talent”, will benefit Project Self-Sufficiency, a local non-profit agency specializing in services for low-income families in Sussex, Warren and Hunterdon counties. Sponsorships for the event range from $500 - $25,000, and a limited number of individual tickets are available at a cost of $200.

Stations from 41 of the area’s finest restaurants will be placed throughout Perona Farms, allowing patrons to meet and mingle with the chefs while sampling some of their most renowned dishes. Guests will be invited to stroll through the cavernous kitchen at Perona Farms and witness a cooking demonstration by Executive Chef Kirk Avondoglio.

Participating restaurants will include Perona Farms; Abril Cocina; Andre’s Restaurant; Bistro 46; Black Forest Inn; Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse; Boro Hotel; Caffe NaVona; Casa Capri/Villa Capri; Café Pierrot; Charlito’s Cocina; The Chatterbox Drive In; Chef Jesse Jones; The Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe; The Clay Oven; Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream; Debragga, New York’s Butcher; Emma Restaurant; Fossil Farms; George’s Wine & Gourmet Gallery; Gourmet Gallery; Hayek’s Market; Hummingbird House; Jersey Barnfire; Krave Café & Caterers; Maple River Restaurant & Bar; Orchard Beer Garden; Pies on Wheels; Pig & Prince Restaurant & Gastro Lounge; PLATES World Cuisine; Restaurant Latour; Ristorante Il Porto; Riviera Maya; St. Moritz Grill & Bar; Salt Gastro Pub; Springhouse Creamery, LLC; South + Pine American Eatery; Stonewood Tavern; Triomphe; Upstream Grille; and wheelHouse Craft Kitchen & Bar.

“A Taste of Talent is our signature fundraising event and the cornerstone of our annual campaign,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “Funds raised by A Taste of Talent make it possible for Project Self-Sufficiency to provide the programs and services necessary for families in northwestern New Jersey to attain economic self-sufficiency. This is our 20th anniversary and we are humbled by the support we continue to receive from the restaurateurs and designers in our area. A Taste of Talent presents a unique opportunity for people to reach out and help their neighbors as they navigate the road to a better life for themselves and for their families.”

Esteemed local designers who will be participating in A Taste of Talent include Patricia Bruterri, Sweet P.E.A.’s; Alicia Shearer, Alicia Shearer Interior Design; Holly George, Holly George Interior Design; Jacky Murphey, Victory Frame Shop; Melissa Bogert, Iroquois Antiques.

As usual, music will be an integral part of A Taste of Talent, with ensembles and soloists set up in every room at Perona Farms. The Meant to be Jazz trio will perform throughout the evening. Musical siblings Katie and Andrew Van Varick, musicians Carol and Gary Kraemer, a string ensemble from the Sparta High School, as well as harpist Cecelia Parker and two of her students will also be featured.

Project Self-Sufficiency is a private non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey. The agency’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of holistic, respectful, and comprehensive services enabling low-income single parents, teen parents, two-parent families, and displaced homemakers to improve their lives and the lives of their children while achieving personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability. Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 25,000 families.

Select donation categories are available for A Taste of Talent, ranging from $500 - $25,000. A limited number of tickets for individual donations are available at a cost of $200. Perona Farms is located at 350 Andover-Sparta Road in Andover. To make a contribution to Project Self-Sufficiency, to obtain tickets to A Taste of Talent, or to find out more information about the programs and services available at the agency, visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org or call 973-940-3500 or 844-807-3500.