TAKE YOUR DOG OUT FOR A NIGHT ON THE TOWN
On April 10, dogs and dog lovers are invited to attend the St. Hubert’s Canine Cotillion, which will be held at Hamilton Farm Golf Club, 1040 Pottersville Road, Gladstone. Proceeds from this event will benefit homeless animals at the St. Hubert’s shelters in Madison and North Branch. The evening starts with a cocktail reception followed by a seated gourmet dinner for two-legged guests, with their canine companions by their side. Doggie delicacies will be available for the four-legged guests. Ties and tails are optional, and guests are welcome with or without canine companions. The 2010 honorary canine co-host is a handsome and active mixed breed named Charlie, who is the spokesmodel for the event. 6 PM; $275 including admission for one dog. Call 973-377-7094 for tickets.
Canine Cotillion co-host Charlie.
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CHARITY EVENTS AT THE BERNARDS INN, BERNARDSVILLE
On April 7, 14, and 21, Bob Egan Plays for the Cure Cabaret Night will be held in the Library Piano Bar at the Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville. A portion of the evenings’ proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure North Jersey Affiliate. 6:30 to 10 PM. For more information and dinner reservations call 908-766-0002.
Also on April 7, Girls Night Out: A Taste of Italy, with Marlene Iaciofano, founder of Gourmet Getaways; Susan Van Allen, author of the best-selling 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go; and Katie Borghese, founder of Casa di Francesca Italian-made home fragrances and accessories, will be held at the Bernards Inn. Italian food, accompanied by wines, will be served, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Somerset Hills Handicapped Riders. 7 to 9 PM; $75. Contact Tracey at 908-766-7300 ext 155 to make a reservation.
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DAVID BURKE ON TOP CHEF MASTERS
Chef David Burke, owner of David Burke Fromagerie, Rumson, will be a contestant on the upcoming season of Top Chef Masters, which begins on April 7 on Bravo TV. The April 7 show will air at 11 PM before moving to its regular slot, 10 PM, on April 14.
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SEND YOUR KIDS TO COOKING CAMP
Registration is now being accepted at Classic Thyme, 710 South Avenue West, Westfield, for Kids’ and Teens’ Summer Cooking Camps. These weekly cooking camps for children ages four and older are organized by age group and will be held from June 28 through August 27. A new Chef’s Kitchen four-day intensive culinary camp is being introduced this summer from July 6 through 9 for students twelve years and older. The curriculum will focus on mastering culinary fundamentals and will include several walking tours to local food purveyors, to learn about the businesses and to select the freshest ingredients, which the students will then use to prepare their meals. A full class listing is available at www.classicthyme.com or by calling 908-232-5445.
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MASTER CLASS IN FOOD AND WINE PAIRINGS AT MORTON’S HACKENSACK
On April 6, a Master Class in Food and Wine Pairings will be held at Morton’s the Steakhouse, Riverside Square Mall, One Riverside Square, Hackensack, led by Sara Fasolino, certified sommelier/beverage manager for Morton’s. 6 to 7:30 PM; $49 including the interactive seminar as well as Morton’s signature hors d’oeuvres. All participants will be awarded a Morton’s Associate Sommelier certificate at the conclusion of the evening. For those who would like to continue their education during an intimate three-course wine dinner with Fasolino, the cost will be $150, including tax and gratuity, which includes the interactive seminar. For reservations call 201-487-1303.
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TASTE OF ESSEX
On April 12, the North Essex Chamber of Commerce’s Taste of Essex will be held at Mayfair Farms, 481 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange, to benefit the NECC Foundation. Participating establishments include Lalezar Turkish Restaurant, LuNello’s, New World Catering, and Toast. 6 to 9 PM; $50 in advance, $60 at the door. For tickets log on to www.northessexchamber.com or call 973-226-5500.
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LOOKING AHEAD: NJ FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
From April 30 through May 2, the Second Annual NJ Food & Wine Festival will be held at Grand Cascades Lodge, Crystal Springs Resort, 3 Wild Turkey Way, Hardyston, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to Share Our Strength, a nonprofit organization working to end childhood hunger in the United States. The event will include a grand tasting, a charity dinner and wine auction, exclusive wine cellar dinners with vertical wine pairings, seminars with winemakers and chefs, and a celebrity chef golf tournament. For more information, reservations, and overnight packages log on to www.njfoodandwinefestival.com or call 973-827-5996 ext 3. Resort reservations can be made by calling 888-299-0585.
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