Sixteen Top Chefs Cooked Tableside to Fight Hunger

HILLSIDE, NJ—November 1, 2019

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey hosted its sold-out 7th Annual Chefs Tableside Dinner at the Westin Governor Morris in Morristown on Thursday, October 24. Sixteen of the state’s top chefs donated their time and talents to craft a unique culinary experience for 160 attendees at the FoodBank’s most intimate annual fundraiser.

The event raised over $147,000 for the FoodBank, enough to provide more than 441,000 nutritious meals for New Jersey neighbors in need.

Generous sponsorships were provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, D'Artagnan, Milliman, Prudential Financial, and Troverie. D’Artagnan donated some of the food prepared by the featured chefs, while Troverie provided a luxury watch as one of the evening’s silent auction items. Kings Food Markets donated flowers for the event space, which was provided by the Westin Governor Morris and Blue Morel Restaurant.

“This year’s Chefs Tableside Dinner has exceeded our expectations, raising even more funds than in years past,” said Carlos Rodriguez, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “Together with our sponsors, the featured chefs and their teams, and all of the generous donors and attendees, we can make an even greater impact on hunger in New Jersey, especially with the holidays approaching.”

During the event, the chefs prepared unique five-course menus with wine pairings for sixteen tables of ten guests each. The evening also featured a cocktail hour, wine pull, and silent and live auctions, with all proceeds benefitting the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.
Students from the FoodBank’s Food Service Training Academy, a free, 15-week culinary and life skills program for those in need of a second chance, gained hands-on experience by supporting chefs at the event.

See photos from our 7th Annual Chefs Tableside Dinner here.

FEATURING
Adam Rose of Villalobos
Alex Spitale of Agricola Eatery, Harvest Restaurant Group
Ariane Duarte of Ariane Kitchen & Bar
Chris Albrecht of The Ryland Inn
AJ Capella of Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen
Andrea Lekberg of The Artist Baker
Anthony Lo Pinto of Grato, Harvest Restaurant Group
Daniel Brunina of Hudson House
David Viana of Heirloom Kitchen
Joe Beninato of The Frog and The Peach
Leia Gaccione of south+pine and CENTRAL+MAIN
Paul Kapner of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey
Dennis Mathews of Blue Morel Restaurant
Lauren Hirschberg of Turtle + the Wolf
Nick Parker of David Burke at Orange Lawn
Sam Freund of White Birch Restaurant and Slamwich Scratch Kitchen

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), a member of Feeding America®, has been delivering food, help and hope across the state for 45 years. Last year, CFBNJ provided nutritious food for over 50 million meals through its network of more than 1,000 community partners including pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, mobile pantries, and child and senior feeding programs. For our hungry neighbors, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey is the powerful agent of change that fills the emptiness caused by hunger and provides resources that are essential to earning a sustainable living.