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Media and News Articles On Table To Table

Over 30 top NJ chefs will cook tableside at the 2026 Table to Table Chefs Gala to help fight local food insecurity.

Editor’s note: This aggerated article was first published on NorthJersey.com. Click here to read the entire article.

More than 30 top New Jersey chefs will cook multi-course dinners tableside at the annual Table to Table Chefs Gala on Oct. 15, 2026 … and you can participate.

The gala is a fundraiser for Table to Table, North Jersey’s largest food rescue organization, and features chefs cooking for and chatting with small groups during the dinner, with wine pairings included. Participating chefs include Robbie Felice (pastaRAMEN, Viaggio and others), Roberto Carnero (Warique), Melanie Gonzalez (Saddle River Inn), Andrew Riccatelli (Bacarosa), Greg Power (Matisse 167) and others. The chef honoree at the gala will be acclaimed chef and author Kwame Onwuachi.

“What Table to Table is doing, rescuing nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste and getting it directly into communities, is read, tangible work,” Onwuachi said. “I’m honored to be recognized at the Chefs Gala, but more importantly, I’m proud to be support an organization addressing both sides of that equation – reducing waste while helping feed people who need it.”

The gala format is unique and was such a smash hit last year that Table to Table decided to run it back this year, just in a bigger space.

“It’s not easy to get tables at these chefs’ restaurants,” Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson said. “And when you do, you’re not going to have that experience of a chef right next to you watching them work their magic.”

Related:

Editor’s note: This aggerated article originally appeared on thepressgroup.net, Northern Valley Press’ website. Click here to read the entire article.

James Beard Award-winning chef, restauranteur, and author Kwame Onwuachi will be honored this fall as more than 30 chefs gather in Rockleigh to support a North Jersey organization that rescues surplus food for people in need.

Table to Table’s 2026 Chefs Gala is set for Thursday Oct. 15 at The Rockleigh. Organizers said demand prompted the annual fundraiser’s move to the larger venue.

A cocktail reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by a multicourse dinner prepared and served tableside by participating chefs. The evening also will include wine pairings and a live auction. American Express is the presenting sponsor.

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A smiling bald man with short gray hair on the sides, wearing a light blue patterned collared shirt under a navy blue blazer, stands beside a smiling woman with straight brown hair and glasses. The woman is wearing a black and white floral top and a delicate pendant necklace. They pose together against a plain light gray backdrop.
Emil and Debbie Iannone

This Year’s Chefs Gala is at The Rockleigh, which Complements the Unique, Multi-Course Dining Cooked Tableside, Featuring 30+ Outstanding Chefs

Editor’s note: This aggerated article originally appeared on The Paramus Post’s website. Click here to read the entire article.

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, will honor Paramus residents Debbie and Emil Iannone at its 2026 Chefs Gala.

The Iannones are longtime supporters of the food rescue nonprofit. They will be inducted into Table to Table’s Founder’s Table.

Presented by American Express, more than 30 outstanding chefs will personally serve their signature multi-course menus prepared tableside for Chefs Gala guests.

Taking center stage as this year’s honoree will be James Beard Award-winning Chef, Restaurateur, and Author Kwame Onwuachi. Table to Table’s Chefs Gala, which is moving to a new, larger venue due to popular demand, will take place at The Rockleigh in Rockleigh, NJ on October 15th at 5:30 pm. Seats are selling fast, so reserve your table today!

Far from a typical banquet fundraiser, Table to Table’s Chefs Gala brings together northern New Jersey’s top culinary talent, creating unique personal dining experiences in the setting of an elegant Gala with unforgettable cuisine, impeccable wine pairings, an exciting live auction, and so much more — all in support of Table to Table’s mission to rescue food, reduce food waste, and relieve hunger in our New Jersey communities.

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Chef Kwame Onwuachi sitting at a reddish-wood dining table in a dimly lit, upscale restaurant, wearing a white chef's coat, clear glasses, and a black baseball cap while touching the brim. Wine glasses are arranged on the table in front of him against a blurred background of warm, glowing pendant lights.

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in Total Food Service, a food service trade publication. Click here to read the entire article.

Feeding neighbors facing hunger remains one of the region’s most persistent challenges, but New Jersey and Metro New York’s chefs have long responded by donating their time, talent, and resources to help.

On Oct. 15, that tradition of giving back will take center stage as nearly 40 culinary professionals join Table to Table for an evening designed to turn extraordinary dining into meaningful community impact.

Table to Table has named James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and author Kwame Onwuachi as the honoree for its 2026 Chefs Gala, presented by American Express.

“It is a great privilege to recognize Chef Kwame as our 2026 Chef Honoree. As a James Beard Award-winning chef, acclaimed restaurateur, and best-selling author, Chef Kwame’s career is a testament to culinary excellence, bold innovations, and an unforgettable influence that extends far beyond the kitchen,” said Heather Thompson, Table to Table’s Executive Director.

The move to a larger venue reflects growing interest in a fundraiser that has distinguished itself from the traditional banquet format. Participating chefs will personally prepare and present signature multi-course dinners tableside. Each table will receive its own culinary experience, complemented by wine pairings, curated beverages, and direct interaction with the chefs.

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Our Executive Director Heather Thompson recently discussed how our food rescue efforts with farms, grocery stores, and distributors help combat food insecurity in northern New Jersey communities on “Think Tank” with Steve Adubato.

Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 276 community partners, including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 133,271 tons of nutritious food — enough for 266,542,863 million meals — and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 612 metric tons of methane saved.

Related:

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on binje.com. Click here to read the complete story.

Table to Table, New Jersey’s premier and largest food rescue organization, has announced that James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and author Kwame Onwuachi will serve as the official honoree for its upcoming 2026 Chefs Gala.
Presented by American Express, the signature fundraising event will take place on Oct. 15, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Moving to a new, larger venue due to overwhelming popular demand, this year’s gala will be hosted at The Rockleigh in Rockleigh.
Departing from a traditional banquet format, the Chefs Gala brings together nearly 40 of the region’s top culinary talents. Participating chefs will personally prepare and serve multi-course signature menus tableside for attendees, paired with fine wines, live auctions, and networking.
All proceeds directly support Table to Table’s mission of rescuing nutritious food, reducing food waste, and reliving hunger in northern New Jersey.

Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 276 community partners, including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 133,271 tons of nutritious food — enough for 266,542,863 million meals — and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 612 metric tons of methane saved.

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Fighting hunger while reducing food waste

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on ROI-NJ.com. Click here to read the complete story.

Launched in 1999 by founder Claire Insalata Poulos with four food donors, one donated van designed to transport fresh food and one driver, Table to Table has earned well-deserved recognition as New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization.

Twenty-seven years ago, Poulos and her small group of supporters decided there had to be a way to move surplus food to communities where it would fill an essential need.

Armed with passion and fierce determination, they created an organization made up of staff members and volunteers who work across five New Jersey counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, and Passaic.

The organization moved more than 25 million pounds of food last year. About 80% of it was perishable, and 60% was fresh produce. Volunteers alone were responsible for moving more than 2.3 million pounds of food using their I-Rescue App.

We’ve also developed relationships with individuals like Marshall Crane of HMS Host and companies like Avolta, which has allowed us to rescue thousands of pounds of ready-to-eat wraps, salads, and healthy bites from Newark Liberty International Airport.

Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 276 community partners, including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 133,271 tons of nutritious food — enough for 266,542,863 million meals — and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 612 metric tons of methane saved.

Related:

Three people smiling indoors next to a table overflowing with bags of groceries, including fresh fruit like apples and oranges, as well as packaged snacks, representing a food distribution or donation effort.

Editor’s note: This article has been aggregated from binje.com. To read the complete article, click here.

The Partners for Health Foundation has awarded a two-year, $120,000 grant to Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit. The funding reinvests in Table to Table’s 27-year mission to reduce environmental food waste while directly addressing health inequities and hunger across northern New Jersey.

The grant arrives at a critical juncture for the region. State food systems are currently bracing for heightened demand due to recent SNAP policy changes and eligibility disruptions, which experts warm will significantly spike food insecurity.

“We are incredibly grateful for this generous grant, which is helping Table to Table advance our mission of keeping perfectly good food out of landfills while providing nourishment to children, families, seniors, and veterans facing food insecurity,” said Heather Thompson, executive director of Table to Table. “The foundation’s continued partnership has further fortified our food rescue efforts, allowing us to deepen our impact by growing our network of food donors, community partners, and volunteers.”

Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 276 community partners, including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 133,271 tons of nutritious food — enough for 266,542,863 million meals — and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 612 metric tons of methane saved.

Related:

Editor’s note: Feeding Hope: The “Ride to Independence” podcast interviewed Table to Table’s Executive Director Heather Thompson, who spoke about our mission and our Kick Hunger Out of NJ Tour during the FIFA World Cup.

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first food rescue organization, is feeding hope. It has been combating food waste and hunger since 1999.

Executive Director Heather Thompson shares how the organization collects fresh food from local businesses and events, like the FIFA World Cup, to feed the community. Their Kick Hunger out of New Jersey tour shows how large events can contribute to food security by rescuing surplus food. By collaborating with a wide network of pantries and shelters, Table to Table ensures that delicious, nutritious meals reach those in need without delay, proving that the solution lies in better distribution rather than more food production.

Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 276 community partners, including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 133,271 tons of nutritious food — enough for 266,542,863 million meals — and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 612 metric tons of methane saved.

Related:

‘We couldn’t do it without Table to Table’s help.’

Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on CBS New York.

A New Jersey charity is on a mission to make sure nothing goes to waste at 2026 Men’s World Cup Watch Parties in the state. 

Table to Table, a Saddle Brook-based nonprofit, launched an initiative to save leftover food from FIFA watch parties and get it to those who need it most all over northern and central Jersey. 

As soccer fan fever spreads across the Garden State, so do the crowds and the food. But what’s left behind doesn’t have to go to waste. 

The Kick Hunger out of New Jersey Tour is part of the call to rescue surplus meals from World Cup watch parties at restaurants and event spaces, food trucks, and fan festivals.

“We’re packing up food for hundreds of meals that’s already cooked, already prepared, ready to eat. And that is such a gift to our communities,” said Heather Thompson, with Table to Table. 

Restaurants, venues and watch party event organizers can donate surplus food if it’s been prepared in commercial kitchens, Table to Table says.   

During the 39-day tournament, the charity’s tour van is traveling around the state as crews work in real-time to pack up meals within hours and get them out to local partners. 

Food sent to Parkside Community Church in Westwood quickly goes to families who rely on fresh options. 

“The clients that we have, who come here regularly, this is their grocery shopping for the week. They can’t afford to buy food on their own,” said Lisa Bontemps, with the church. 

A Win for All

Table to Table’s initiative is a win on two fronts: cutting down food waste and helping tackle hunger across North Jersey. 

“We realized that there was a real opportunity to get even more of that food out into our community and make sure that those celebrations benefited as many people as possible,” said Thompson. 

“This is critical for them. We couldn’t do it without Table to Table’s help,” said Bontemps.

With dozens of World Cup events still ahead, organizers said they’re just getting started.

The tournament’s championship match will be on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.

Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 276 community partners, including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 133,271 tons of nutritious food — enough for 266,542,863 million meals — and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 612 metric tons of methane saved.

Related:

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