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August 21, 2024 – Saddle Brook, NJ – In preparation for its 25th Anniversary Chefs Gala, Table to Table, NJ’s first and most successful food rescue organization, announced its all-star lineup of more than 25 of New Jersey’s best chefs who will craft their delicious, multi-course menus for guests tableside on September 25th at Edgewood Country Club in River Vale, NJ at 6pm. Presented by American Express, this year’s Chefs Gala welcomes Chef Jamie Knott as the 2024 Chefs Honoree, joining fellow Chefs Ryan DePersio and AJ Capella as the event Co-Chairs, and Chefs David Burke, Nicholas Gatti, and Peter X. Kelly, inductees into the Founder’s Table. This is a limited seat engagement, reserve your table today! 

“Our Chefs Gala will truly be a who’s who of more than 25 of New Jersey’s culinary masters,” said Heather Thompson, Executive Director, Table to Table. “This is not your typical fundraising dinner! It will be a unique and unforgettable event with delicious cuisine and expertly selected wine pairings…not to mention our exciting live auction, with every dollar raised supporting Table to Table’s mission to reduce food waste and relieve hunger in our communities. We cannot wait to have this outstanding talent together in one room,” Thompson concluded. 

Participating Chefs and Mixologists

Guiseppe Agostino, Verana

John Michael Beam, Afficionado Coffee Roasters

Kristi Taylor Beighley, Silk City Distillers

Luis Blasini-Sinchi, 7 Doors Down Ramen

Anthony Bucco, Landmark Hospitality

Brandon Campney, Stirling Tavern

Carlo Carbonaro & Robert Vicari, Bottagra

Thomas Ciszak, Brasserie Memere

Bianca Concepcion & Ben Del Coro, Fossil Farms

Mary Cumella & Logan Ramirez, Gioia Mia

Antonio De Ieso, Fiorentini

Lexi Dimeo, Stiir Mobile Bar Service

Leia Gaccione, South + Pine American Eatery

Felix Gonzalez, Viaggio

Alex Gorant, Axia Taverna

Matt Gregg, Barnegat Oyster Collective

Corey Heyer, Canoe Brook Country Club

Andrea Lekberg, Artist Baker

Christina Marcelli, Marcelli Formaggi

Halle Medici, Saddle River Inn

Frank Medina, Kitchen Step, Battello, Ember & Eagle

Christian Nicosia, Ghost Hawk Brewery

Sal Pisani, Jersey Artisan Co.

Hank Reed, Mazur Chocolates

Matt Rios, Gerard Bertrand Wines

Ehren Ryan, Common Lot, BYRD

Dean Schreefer, Echo Lake Country Club

Robert Sigona, Gelotti

Tom Silvestri, ORA

Melissa Stanard, the goods

Lawrence Talis, Blue Steel Pizza Co.

Joe Tartamella, Felina

Geoff Taylor, 130 Club

Bryan Tiedemann, Dirty Pelican

Chef Honoree Jamie Knott  

On this milestone anniversary, we recognize one of New Jersey’s most inventive chef entrepreneurs, the avant-garde culinary master: Jamie Knott. His diverse experience across various culinary styles has established him as a leading figure in the industry. As the chef-owner of such notable restaurants as Saddle River Inn, Saddle River Café Madame, and Kinjo—his latest masterpiece—Chef Knott warmly welcomes guests for flavorful, unforgettable dining experience focused on locally sourced, fresh ingredients, reflecting Knott’s commitment to quality. Jamie’s portfolio of restaurants is consistently praised and acknowledged by media and influencers alike. Educated at the New York Restaurant School, his career has been marked by innovation and a deep understanding of the culinary world. Jamie is also deeply committed to giving back to the community through his involvement with Table to Table and several other NJ nonprofits.   

Co-Chairpersons Chef Ryan DePersio and Chef AJ Capella    

Chefs Ryan DePersio and AJ Capella are the Co-Chairs, lending their culinary expertise to make this year’s event an unforgettable experience. Ryan is the owner of Battello and Kitchen Step both in Jersey City as well as Ember and Eagle in Eatontown while AJ is the Executive Chef of Summit House in Summit.  

Founder’s Table Honorees  

At this year’s Chefs Gala, Table to Table will proudly welcome the new additions to its Founder’s Table: Chef David Burke, Chef Nicholas Gatti, Chef Peter X. Kelly, Eva Megerle, and the Bernard and Geraldine Segal Foundation. 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 25-year history.  

Sponsors for this year’s Table to Table’s Chefs Gala include: American Express (Presenting), American Airlines, Arca Restaurant and Lounge and Crestron (Grand), Inserra ShopRite Supermarkets and Summit Associates (Platinum); Takasago and Wegmans (Silver) and Peapack-Gladstone Bank (Bronze). 

For questions about the event, please contact Joey Mazza, Director of Events and Restaurant Partnerships, jmazza@tabletotable.org  

For 25 years, Table to Table, New Jersey’s first food rescue, has bridged the gap between food waste and food insecurity. The organization partners with supermarkets, distributors, restaurants, and others to rescue surplus, quality food, and delivers it directly to nonprofit community partners serving children and families, seniors, veterans, and other neighbors in need.   

What began in 1999 with one food rescue in a donated van, has flourished to become an efficient and impactful operation and a force for change that—to date—has resulted in the rescue and delivery of enough food for over 311 million healthy meals throughout northern New Jersey. To mark their milestone anniversary, the nonprofit has set a goal of rescuing/delivering enough fresh food for 25 million meals this year, via its fleet of 6 trucks and volunteer-based app, Table to Table I-Rescue. The 2024 Chefs Gala is poised to raise enough for 5 million meals.  

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), NJ’s first food rescue organization, collects fresh and perishable food which would otherwise be wasted and delivers it to organizations that serve people experiencing hunger in Bergen, Hudson, Essex, and Passaic counties in Northern NJ. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 200+ partner organizations including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, we touch 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. Table to Table raises all its own funds annually, and last year delivered enough food to provide over 23 million meals.  

Press Contact:  

Maria Sinopoli, Director of Marketing Communications  

msinopoli@tabletotable.org  

As Table to Table approaches its 25th anniversary, the New Jersey-based food rescue organization is preparing for its most ambitious event yet—the 2024 Chefs Gala. Scheduled for September 25th at the Edgewood Country Club in River Vale, NJ, this reimagined gala will bring together 25 of New Jersey’s finest chefs in an avant-garde culinary experience, celebrating the organization’s quarter-century of impact.

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first food rescue organization, has been at the forefront of addressing food insecurity and food waste in the state. Since its inception in 1999, the organization has rescued and delivered enough food or over 311 million healthy meals throughout northern New Jersey.

“Table to Table is dedicated to collecting fresh and perishable food that would otherwise be wasted and delivering it to organizations serving people experiencing hunger in Bergen, Hudson, Essex, and Passaic counties,” noted Heather Thompson, Table to Table’s Executive Director. “Our mission is to provide nutritious food to those in need, free of charge, ensuring good nutrition is accessible to families, children, veterans, and older adults.”

Thompson’s rich background in non-profit work, focusing on food insecurity and poverty, has been instrumental in driving the organization’s mission forward. “I started my career at City Meals on Wheels in New York, ensuring homebound elderly people received the nourishment they needed. Joining Table to Table felt like coming home for me, as I live in Essex County and have always been passionate about addressing food insecurity.”

The upcoming Chefs Gala on September 25th is set to be a unique event, where celebrated chefs will cook tableside, crafting a delicious multi-course feast for guests. This year’s event is particularly special as it marks Table to Table’s 25th anniversary. “We’re elated to celebrate our silver anniversary by putting a fresh new twist on a celebrated event. What better way to celebrate 25 years of impact—reducing food waste and nourishing neighbors in need—than with an un-paralleled culinary experience bringing together 25 of NJ’s best chefs, and Jamie Knott as our Chef Honoree.”

The 2024 Chef Honoree, Jamie Knott, is renowned for his innovative culinary skills and commitment to quality. As the chef-owner of notable restaurants such as Saddle River Inn, Madame, and Kinjo, Knott’s dedication to locally sourced, fresh ingredients aligns perfectly with Table to Table’s mission. “Jamie Knott’s diverse experience and deep under-standing of the culinary world make him a leading figure in the industry,” Thompson added. “His commitment to giving back to the community through his involvement with Table to Table and other nonprofits is truly commendable.”

The event will also feature Co-Chairpersons Chef Ryan DePersio and Chef A.J. Capella, who bring their culinary expertise to ensure an unforgettable experience for all attendees. DePersio, the owner of Battello and Kitchen Step, and Capella, the executive chef of Summit House, are excited to contribute to the success of this year’s gala.

As Table to Table celebrates its 25th anniversary, the organization has set an ambitious goal to rescue and deliver enough food for 25 million meals this year. This target reflects the organization’s unwavering commitment to com-bating hunger and food waste. “Our goal this year is to rescue and deliver enough food for 25 million meals.”

“It’s an ambitious target, but it’s achievable. Each dollar donated helps us rescue and deliver 10 meals. These funds fuel our operations, keep our trucks on the road, and enable us to conduct outreach to bring in more food donors and volunteers,” Thompson said.

Table to Table’s success relies heavily on the support of volunteers and food donors. The organization’s I-Rescue App has made it easier than ever for individuals to get involved in food rescues. “The Table to Table I-Rescue App allows volunteers to see available food rescues based on their location or schedule. You can download the app, sign up as a volunteer, and start rescuing food. It’s a simple process that can take as little as 45 minutes to an hour, and it guides you through every step.”

Restaurants and food services interested in becoming food donors are encouraged to join the mission. The onboarding process is straightforward, and the Table to Table team is dedicated to making it easy for new donors. “We welcome new food donors, especially those with fresh, perishable foods like produce, protein, dairy, and prepared meals,” Thompson concluded. “Our team will work directly with them to set up the donation process, ensuring it’s easy and efficient.”

Courtesy of Total Food Service magazine

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Imagine a Gala unlike any other, where celebrated chefs cook tableside, personally dedicated to crafting a delicious multi-course feast especially for you and your guests. On September 25th, Table to Table will host New Jersey’s culinary event of the year: The 2024 Chefs Gala, a reimagined experience celebrating 25 years of impact and featuring 25 of New Jersey’s best chefs!

This unique personal dining experience in the setting of an elegant Gala offers unforgettable cuisine, impeccable wine pairings, an exciting live auction and so much more—all in support of Table to Table’s Silver Anniversary and our mission to rescue food, reduce waste, and relieve hunger in our communities.

On this milestone anniversary, we recognize one of New Jersey’s most inventive chef entrepreneurs, the avant-garde culinary master: Jamie Knott. His diverse experience across various culinary styles has established him as a leading figure in the industry. As the chef-owner of such notable restaurants as Saddle River Inn, Madame, and Kinjo—his latest masterpiece—Chef Knott warmly welcomes guests for a flavorful, unforgettable dining experience focused on locally sourced, fresh ingredients, reflecting Knott’s commitment to quality.

Chefs Ryan DePersio and A.J. Cappella have joined the event as Co-Chairs, lending their culinary expertise to make this year’s event an unforgettable experience. Ryan is the owner of Battello and Kitchen Step both in Jersey City as well as Ember and Eagle in Eatontown while AJ is the Executive Chef of Summit House in Summit. 

For 25 years, Table to Table, New Jersey’s first food rescue, has bridged the gap between food waste and food insecurity. The organization partners with supermarkets, distributors, restaurants, and others to rescue surplus, quality food, and delivers it directly to nonprofit community partners serving children and families, seniors, veterans, and other neighbors in need.  

Courtesy of Montclair Patch

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