Farm to Fork celebrates local food and farms

NEWTON — Join the Foodshed Alliance on March 25, at 4 p.m., at Andre's Restaurant and Bar in Newton, as they welcome eight distinguished chefs for a Farm to Fork celebration. The night will incorporate locally-grown foods creations paired with wines that have been specially chosen by each chef for their featured course. The event will include six courses and entertainment and will benefit the Foodshed Alliance; a grassroots, non-profit organization devoted to promoting locally-grown food and farming through community outreach, education and events. The featured chefs are Andre de Waal of Andre’s Restaurant and Wine Boutique, Brian Gregg of Michael Anthony’s Farm-to-Table Restaurant in Jersey City, Mike Carrino of Restaurant Passione in Montclair, David Drake of Alice’s Restaurant in Lake Hopatcong, Jesse Jones, a private chef in Newark, Kirk Avondoglio of Perona Farms in Andover, George Mandakus of Innova Cuisine in Lafayette and Ryan DePersio of Fascino and Bar Car in Montclair. Each chef's signature course will feature food from a different local farm and be paired with selected wines that best compliment the freshness and flavor of each course. Food for this event will be provided by Pittenger Farm, Viking Village Seafood, the Community Supported Garden at Genesis Farm, Bobolink Dairy and Bakehouse, Arthur and Friends, Churutabis Farm, Kittatinny Mountain Farm, Saltopia, Alba Vineyard, Ventimiglia Vineyard and Mosefund Farm. Cousins Live, an acoustic duo from northern New Jersey, will provide the entertainment. The group consists of Erik Parian and Danny Spadaro and is signed to Discovered Records. Their performance covers a variety of genres, including pop, rock, rhythm and blues and soul. They've been performing and DJing at bars, restaurants, and private parties for two years. Tickets for the Farm to Fork celebration are $100 per person and seating is limited. To register and obtain directions to Andre's, visit www.foodshedalliance.org, call 908-362-7967 or email info@foodshedalliance.org.