We first spoke to “gelato chef” Mike Guerriero last November, not long after the Gelotti shop owner had earned top marks at the Gelato Festival America in Santa Barbara with his Blueberry Basil gelato.
Just two weeks ago, he won the finals in Miami with the same flavor—and now he’s set to represent the U.S. in the Gelato World Masters in Italy in 2021. Not only did Guerriero’s Jersey-inspired flavor sweep first place in all the categories, but Guerriero himself is the first American-born winner in the U.S., making this a doubly historic win. (Between this and—sort of—climbing temps, chances are it’s a good time to swing by either Gelotti location.)
Vegan Pop-Up Shop in Asbury Park on National Beer Day
Sunday, April 7, 11 am – 5p m
Some might argue that National Beer Day is more appropriately celebrated on the couch, or (weather permitting) a nice deck chair with a tall boy and absolutely nothing to do. But for those more vertically-inclined on a Sunday afternoon, the second of three Vegan Pop-Up events in Asbury Park this year can act as your healthy food accompaniment. You won’t, alas, find beer at the event (though it is typically vegan), but vegan vendors (food, drink, and retail) will be packing out the Asbury Park Convention Hall all day, and include places like Good Karma Café, Hanna’s Meatballs, Samosa Shack, Gone Pie Vegan Bakery, Dean’s Natural Food Market, and the Baklava Lady. Tickets are $5 in advance, and don’t include price of food, or the beer you buy on your way home. Asbury Park Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury.
Vegan Dinner Buffet at Kitchen 19
Friday, April 12, 7–10 pm
The Vegan Chub is taking over Kitchen 19 in Hammonton with a comfort food-style vegan buffet. Tickets are $50, and dinner options run from “Porq” Fried Rice, “Chikun” Pot Pie, and Sausage (but not?) Lasagna. Desserts and beverages will also be served, but if you want to pair something with all that veggie protein, it’s BYO. Reserve online. Kitchen 19, 19 South 2nd Street, Hammonton; 609-878-3488
Top Chefs & Top Wines Dinner at the New Jersey Wine & Food Festival
Friday, April 11, 8–11 pm
Tickets are likely to sell out fast for this marquee dinner of the New Jersey Wine & Food Festival at Crystal Springs, but if you can snag some (and have some cash to spare), you’ll be duly rewarded—no fewer than four winemakers and four chefs (two of them “Top Chef” players) will be delivering the night’s food and drink. No advanced word on the seven-course menu, but you can rest assured it’ll be amply creative (and creatively ample). Tickets are available for sale online at $295 per person before tax and tip; cocktail attire. Restaurant Latour, 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg; 855-977-6473
Taste of Essex 2019
Monday, April 8, 5:30 pm
The Essex Chamber of Commerce is putting on their annual “Taste of Essex” at The Manor in West Orange. The $60 tickets buy access to a very healthy mix of restaurants, distilleries, and breweries: Brix, Cricket Hill Brewery, Misunderstood Whiskey, Ah’Pizz, Benji’s Tacqueria, Gelotti, Jersey Spirits Distilling Co., Horseneck Tavern, Bloom, the list goes on, as will the tasting and sipping and tasting again. Order tickets online to avoid the $80 day-of door price. The Manor, 111 Prospect Avenue, West Orange; 201-805-9355