Renowned chefs and eclectic cuisine benefit Project Self-Sufficiency

By Laurie Gordon
LAFAYETTE — Monday night saw Perona Farms transform into a culinary extravaganza as chefs from over 40 culinary establishments and representatives from three design firms gathered to raise funds for Project Self-Sufficiency, a vital community charity based in Newton. The 20th Annual “A Taste of Talent” was all about exquisite food, meeting renowned chefs and listening to some fantastic musical ensembles.
Project Self-Sufficiency's Executive Director, Deborah Berry-Toon, greeted guests in a festive yellow jacket welcoming them to the event.
“A Taste of Talent directly benefits our Sussex County neighbors in need, and is the cornerstone to our annual campaign,” Berry-Toon said. “We are exceptionally grateful for the time, talent and resources provided by the chefs and the designers who have contributed to this event year after year, and to the entire community for their support of our programs for low-income families.”
Gary and Carol Kraemer, of Fredon, love music and they were thrilled to be playing their string instruments as one of the many musical groups dotted throughout the building.
“This is a fantastic event,” Gary Kraemer said, “And it's our pleasure to come each year and perform.”
Guests wound their way through Perona Farms enjoying all kinds of culinary creations with varying ethnic undertones and appetizers to main courses to desserts were all included in the sampling.
Mario Valdez, from Abril Coicina in Maplewood, handed out a flavorful concoction with a Mexican flare and said the restaurant, which features a modern fusion to Mexican cuisine, was happy to be a part of the event.
“We've gotten great ratings and it's those that brought us here tonight,” he said pointing to several articles about the restaurant, “And Project Self-Sufficiency does so much good.”
While some restaurateurs came from outside the area, others, such as Tracey and Andre deWaal, are very well known in Sussex County. Andre's Restaurant opened in 1998 in Newton to rave reviews and recently renovated and relocated to beautiful Seneca Lake in Sparta. The restaurant features French cuisine with an Asian flair, and samples at A Taste of Talent certainly tantalized taste buds.
“We've been doing this event for a long time and would never miss it,” said Tracey deWaal. “It's a great chance to showcase the restaurant and have the opportunity to see fellow restaurant owners all for a really amazing cause.”
Chef Rick Nifenecker and his wife, Laura, are long-time owners of Cafe Perot which has locations in both Newton and Sparta. They had a creative veggie conglomeration for sample and couldn't say enough about the event.
“Project Self-Sufficiency does so much for people in our county and it's a pleasure to be here,” Rick Nifenecker said.
Proceeds from the event benefited Project Self-Sufficiency’s programs for low-income families in Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon counties. Participating restaurants included Perona Farms; Abril Cocina; Alice’s; Andre’s Restaurant & Lakeside Dining; The Barrelhouse; Bistro 46; Black Forest Inn; Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse; Boro Hotel; Caffe NaVona; Casa Capri/Villa Capri; Café Pierrot; Charlito’s Cocina; The Chatterbox Drive In; Chef Jesse Jones; The Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe; The Clay Oven; Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream; Debragga, New York’s Butcher; Emma Restaurant; Fossil Farms; George’s Wine Gallery; Gourmet Gallery; Hayek’s Market; Hummingbird House; Krave Café & Caterers; Orchard Beer Garden; Pattycakes; Pies on Wheels; Pig & Prince; PLATES World Cuisine; Restaurant Latour; Restaurant Triomphe; Ristorante Il Porto; Riviera Maya; St. Moritz Grill & Bar; Salt Gastro Pub; Springhouse Creamery, LLC; South + Pine American Eatery; Stonewood Tavern; Tanti Baci Caffe; Tavern at Crystal Springs; Upstream Grille; wheelHouse Craft Kitchen & Bar; and The Windlass.
Music was provided by a variety of individuals and groups, including the Meant to be Jazz Ensemble, Glenn Merritt, Alan Hayes, Joe Guerra and Pete Omelio; Carol and Gary Kraemer, and Michael De Maio; students from the Sparta High School Strings, Emily Fitzsimons, Eileen Huhn, Nicole Kwon, Sam Mathusek, Jack McGovern and Allie Sangalli; Katie and Andrew Van Varick; guitarist, Raphael Krause, from the Bill Wright School of Music; and harpist Cecelia Parker and her students, Sherry Lenox and Patti Spyer.
A Taste of Talent had it's kick off several months ago when nine of the participating chefs gathered at Perona Farms. The restaurant's owner, Chef Kirk Avondoglio, has been an integral part of the event since its inception working hand-in-hand with Project Self-Sufficiency to make it come to fruition.
“What a wonderful event.” Avondoglio said, “I look forward to it every year. It’s nice to see all of the chefs come together. There is a lot of camaraderie and it does so much for the people served by Project Self-Sufficiency. It’s their biggest fundraiser of the year.”
Project Self-Sufficiency is a private non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey. The agency’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of holistic, respectful, and comprehensive services enabling low-income single parents, teen parents, two-parent families, and displaced homemakers to improve their lives and the lives of their children while achieving personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability. Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 20,500 families, including over 30,000 children. To make a contribution to Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or 844-807-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.