Table to Table Announces Spring Signature Events

Two celebrity chefs/restaurateurs/TV personalities will be guests of honor

March 2010 – This spring, two celebrity chefs – Emeril Lagasse and Ming Tsai – will join the area’s most beloved restaurants and restaurateurs for events designed to raise awareness and funding for Table to Table, Northeast New Jersey’s first and only food rescue program. Widely considered the area’s premier food and wine events, the Chefs Gala and Great Grill & Pig Out combine imaginative food and interesting wines in settings ranging from a formal black-tie gala with dinner and dancing to an informal outdoors party beneath tents.

“Table to Table has become one of the most essential services in our communities,” says Claire Insalata Poulos, founder of the food rescue organization. “Proceeds from the events will further our mission to collect prepared and perishable food that would otherwise be discarded and deliver it, free of charge, to organizations that serve the hungry in Bergen, Hudson, Passaic and Essex counties. This year, we will deliver enough food to serve more than six-and-a-half million meals. ”

On Thursday, April 29, Emeril Lagasse, star of Food Network’s Essence of Emeril and Emeril Live, will be the guest of honor at the Chefs Gala at Alpine Country Club. The black- tie event showcases award-winning chefs and their signature dishes, including David Burke of David Burke Townhouse, Peter Kelly of Xaviar’s at Piermont, David Pasternak of Esca, Fortunato Nicotra of Felidia and John Piliouras of Nisi Estiatorio. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. at Alpine Country Club. A live auction and musical entertainment by Mark Sganga & Friends are highlights. Tickets are $350 per person, $290 of which is tax deductible.

On Wednesday, May 19, Emmy-awarding winning chef and restaurateur Ming Tsai, star of Ming’s Quest on the Fine Living Network, will be the guest of honor at the Great Grill & Pig Out at The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale. The event brings together almost 30 of the area’s best-loved restaurants to present their specialties, complemented by an international selection of wines hand-selected by Chuck Russo of Wine & Spirit World. Participating restaurants include Campania, Park & Orchard, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Rosa Mexicano and River Palm Terrace. The lively and informal evening begins at 6:30 p.m. and features a silent auction and live entertainment by Mark Sganga & Friends. Tickets are $195 per person; $150 of which is tax deductible.
Table to Table Spring Events are presented by American Express; Platinum corporate sponsors are American Airlines, Bergen Jaguar, Control Services, Inserra Supermarkets, Neiman Marcus in Paramus, Samsung Electronics and Summit Associates.

Table to Table is the only dedicated food rescue program in northeast New Jersey, serving over 60 hunger relief agencies throughout Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties. Table to Table receives no government funding and, instead, relies solely on support from private and corporate donations.

Tickets will be available online beginning March 15 and by phone beginning March 29, 2010. For tickets, visit www.tabletotable.org or call (201) 444-5500.