We admit, the guacamole – made fresh at the table - at Rosa Mexicano has always been a driving force behind our relationship with a favorite New York restaurant.

We’ve waited all summer for New Jersey’s first Rosa Mexicana to open its doors. And we’re happy to say, it's arrived.

In New Jersey, where pizza reigns supreme, and no hometown strip mall or downtown exists without a favored slice-a-teria…we are passionate about our pies.

One of New Jersey’s brightest culinary stars is home after 19 days in Beijing as the sole chef chosen by the International Olympic Committee to represent the United States. And he brings news for the state’s restaurant scene.

There are music or food festivals in just about every part of the state.

It’s a big weekend for food and wine lovers at the Jersey Fresh Food and Wine Festival, Saturday and Sunday at Hopewell Valley Vineyards in Pennington. Taste wines from the state’s vineyards, attend seminars by wine and food experts, and try food from Brothers Moon and Nomad Pizza Company in Hopewell, The Bent Spoon, Tre Piani Restaurant and Underground Café in Princeton, and High Street Grill in Mt. Holly.

Jesse Jones grew up eating the classic Southern cooking his mother and grandmother made in the small town of Snow Hill, North Carolina.

Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest will keep you coming back for more.

Recently our food editor Rosalie Saferstein participated in a cooking class, “Date Night: In The City,” at Viking Culinary Center (www.VikingCookingSchool.com) in Fairfield, operated by the makers of the high-end kitchen equipment. Here are her thoughts.