Table to Table Names James Beard Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur, and Author Kwame Onwuachi as its 2026 Chefs Gala Honoree on Oct. 15

This Year’s New Venue at The Rockleigh Complements the Unique, Multi-Course Dining Cooked Tableside, Featuring Nearly 40 Outstanding Chefs

August 25, 2026 – Saddle Brook, NJ – Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, celebrates its 2026 Chefs Gala presented by American Express with more than 30 outstanding chefs who will personally serve their signature multi-course menus prepared tableside for 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,whichis moving to a new, larger venue due to popular demand, will take place at The Rockleigh in Rockleigh, NJ on October 15^th 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 the region’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. 

“It is a great privilege to recognize Chef Kwame as our 2026 Chef Honoree. As a James Beard Award-winning chef, acclaimed restaurateur, and bestselling author, Chef Kwame’s career is a testament to culinary excellence, bold innovation, and an unforgettable influence that extends far beyond the kitchen,” said Heather Thompson, Executive Director, Table to Table. “We are honored to celebrate his achievements and are grateful that he is sharing our mission of reducing food waste and feeding our community in need,” Thompson concluded.

Chef Honoree Kwame Onwuachi

Kwame Onwuachi is a James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and author. His impressive career includes being named to Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025, one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs, Esquire Magazine’s 2019 Chef of the Year, and a 30 Under 30 honoree by both Zagat and Forbes. On top of that, he was named the most important chef in America by the San Francisco Chronicle. His highly acclaimed restaurants Tatiana, Dōgon, and Maroon all maintain the status of the toughest reservation to get in their different cities. Chef Kwame has appeared on countless TV shows and is about to launch his 3rd published book.

Co-Chairpersons Chefs Jamie Knott and Ryan DePersio

Chef Jamie Knott is owner of Saddle River Inn, Saddle River Cafe, Cellar 335, and Madame. He is also a Table to Table Trustee. Chef Ryan De Persio is the Chef/Partner of Battello, Kitchen Step, Ember & Eagle, and TillingHouse. Both are long-time supporters of Table to Table’s food rescue mission.

Participating Chefs

Curated Libations

At this year’s Chefs Gala, Table to Table will proudly welcome new members to its Founder’s Table: Elisabeth Durbetaki^†, Debbie and Emil Iannone, and Ilene Isaacs.     ^†In Memoriam

The Founder’s Table was established in 2023 by Table to Table’s Founder Claire Insalata Poulos to recognize individuals, companies, and foundations that have provided extraordinary support to the nonprofit over its 27-year history.

Crossroads Companies will be recognized with the 2026 Mission Impact Award.

Sponsors for this year’s Chefs Gala include: American Express (Presenting); Crestron (Grand); Arca Restaurant and Lounge, The Hildes Family, Inserra ShopRite Supermarkets, and Summit Associates (Platinum); Sal Lauretta for Men (Gold); Crossroads Companies, Takasago, Tito’s, and Wegmans (Silver), and Mannino (Bronze).

To help Table to Table in their mission to reduce food waste and address food insecurity in New Jersey, you can make a donation today – every dollar you contribute provides resources for the organization to rescue and deliver food for 10 healthy meals. For more information on Table to Table, visit www.tabletotable.org.

About Table to Table

Table to Table (http://www.tabletotable.org) 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 meals — and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 612 metric tons of methane.

Contact

Maria Sinopoli, Director of Marketing Communications msinopoli@tabletotable.org