On Thursday, May 19, renowned chef, author, artist and media personality, Jacques Pépin will be the celebrity chef at Newton Medical Center’s “An Evening of Wine and Roses,” the annual fundraiser benefitting the Newton Medical Center Foundation. The event will feature food, wine and liquor and will be held at Centenary College’s David and Carol Lackland Center, 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown. At this year’s event, chef Pépin will meet with guests at 5:30 PM in a special VIP area made possible by RoNetco Supermarkets, Inc., and Wakefern Food Corporation. 5:30 to 9:30 PM; $125; VIP $225. To order tickets, e-mail [email protected] or call 973-579-8309.
THE JUST JERSEY FOOD TRUCK & MUSIC FESTIVAL
On Saturday, May 7, the Just Jersey Food Truck & Music Festival will be held at the Waterloo Field Concert Field, 1053 Waterloo Road, Stanhope to benefit the Eleventh Hour Rescue, an organization that focuses on saving animals from kill shelters, fostering them in a home, providing them with all the love and medical attention they require until they find their forever homes, plus educating the community about animal over population and the importance of spaying and neutering. The Eleventh Hour Rescue will be on site the day of the festival and attendees can meet and greet the dogs and fill out applications for adoption. Over 25 gourmet food trucks will be in attendance serving everything from American fare to Colombian, Cajun and Creole cuisines. Other gourmet offerings include lobster rolls, artisan pizzas, empanadas, tacos, BBQ, Cuban sandwiches, pierogies, steak, sliders, wings, mac & cheese, grilled cheese, Belgian waffles, churros, cheesecake, cupcakes and so much more including a craft beer & sangria bar featuring libations from Captain Lawrence, Brooklyn Brewery, Ommegang, Forgotten Boardwalk and Señor Sangria. 10 AM to 6 PM; $5; children under 10 free. Information at the event website.
OTHER NJ FOOD EVENTS
THURSDAY, MAY 5
CHEF’S GALA TO BENEFIT TABLE TO TABLE
A Chef’s Gala will be held at the Alpine Country Club, 80 Anderson Avenue, Demarest, to benefit Table to Table. Attending chefs are guest of honor, Andrew Carmellini, Arthur Toufayan (Café Amici), JJ Johnson (The Cecil), David Burke (ESquared Hospitality), Stephane Motir (Myriad Restaurant Group), Elie Kahlon (Novo), Ben Pollinger (Oceana) and Peter Kelly (Xaviars Restaurant Group). Wine coordinated by Carlo Russo’s Wine & Spirit World. 6:30 PM; $450. Tickets at this website. Table to Table is a community-based food rescue program that collects prepared and perishable food that would otherwise be wasted and delivers it to organizations serving the hungry in the Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Passaic counties of New Jersey.
MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH COOKING CLASS
Heirloom Kitchen, 3853 Rt 516, Old Bridge will host a hands-on cooking class, where participants will prepare a menu of elegant but simple brunch foods including Brioche French Toast Casserole, Caramelized Onion, Seasonal Greens & Goat Cheese Tart, Smoked Salmon Toast, Italian Style “Huevos Rancheros” Flatbread with Ricotta Cream, Roasted Tomato Jam, Poached Egg & Arugula Salad and, of course, a mimosa. 11 AM; $90. Reservations: 732-727-9444.
TUESDAY, MAY 10
COOKING CLASS PICNIC ON THE SQUARE, RIDGEWOOD
Chef/owner Christine Nunn of Picnic on the Square, 26 Wilsey Square, Ridgewood, will be offering a “Provencal Picnic” cooking class, which will feature olive-oil poached sea bream, vegetable-barley risotto, a light-as-a-feather asparagus quiche and a mixed berry claufoutis. This event features a cooking demonstration, discussion, and dinner with a complimentary glass (or two) of wine. 6:30 PM; $70. Reservations: 201-444-4001.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11
WINE & DINE WITH THE FOUNDING FATHERS
A five-course, five wines Wine & Dine With the Founding Fathers dinner featuring Federalist wines will be held at Morris Tap and Grill, 500 Rt. 10 West, Randolph; $65. For information and reservations call 973-891-1776.
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].