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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.

Related:

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 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 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

Giuseppe Agostino
Verana

Brandon Campney
Stirling Tavern

AJ Capella
Summit House

Roberto Carnero
Warique

Casey Colaneri & Gus Gutierrez
Cubita Cafe

Michael Cosenza
Mike’s Pasta Shoppe

Antonio De Ieso
Fiorentini

Luis Estacio
The Capital Grille

Robbie Felice
Viaggio

Leia Gaccione
The Saint Clair

Jeffrey Galan
Fossil Farms

Melanie Gonzalez
Saddle River Inn

Alex Gorant
Axia Taverna

Stephen Hayek
Saddle River Cafe

Aaron Kirtz
Wheelhouse Cheese & More

Dan Lipow
The Foraged Feast

Dennis Mathews
Ember & Eagle

Jack O’Connor
Adelaide

Salvatore Pisani
Jersey Artisan Co.

Greg Power
Matisse 167

Jay Powles
Sushi by Sea

Timothy Quinlan
Private Chef

Logan Ramirez
Gioia Mia

Andrew Riccatelli
The Morris Proper

Leonardo Argoti Rubio
Bijoux Pastry

Dean Schreefer
Echo Lake Country Club

John Sclafani
Off The Hook Seafood

Robert Sigona
Gelotti

Tom Silvestri
ORA

Sam Stymest
Sam’s Table

Daniel Suseck
Petrossian

Lawrence Talis
The Committed Pig

Joe Tartamella
Canoe Brook Country Club

Koen Vanderstraeten &
Matthew Pasquinucci
Fortune Fish & Gourmet

Christina Vene
Cakes of Wrath

Sean Yan
Ram & Rooster

Curated Libations

John Michael Beam
Afficionado Coffee Roasters

Frankie Medina

JCR Hospitality, Battello,

Ember & Eagle, & TillingHouse

Dirty Pelican 

Ghost Hawk Brewery

NJ Beer Co.

One Hope Wines

Sangri

Silk City Distillers

Tequila Rosaluz

Wilson Daniels Wines

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

We participated in BD’s annual year’s Difference in a Day in Franklin Lakes.

BD associates helped our staffers create practical solutions for real challenges that will have a lasting impact on our 27-year mission of rescuing food, reducing waste, and relieving 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.

Related:

Ed Trucil is the subject of Table to Table’s most recent volunteer spotlight.

“Volunteering to help rescue food, reduce waste, and relieve hunger has been such a rewarding way to enjoy my retirement,” Ed said. “Providing transportation from the generous donors to the agencies that serve the hungry has helped connect me to our community in a new way, and also opened my eyes to the importance of sustainability. In addition, I’d like to give a big shoutout to the many volunteers and behind-the-scenes staff who make this organization so successful!”

Volunteering Like Ed Does

Signing up to be a Table to Table volunteer is easy. Julie Kinner, Table to Table’s Vice President of Operations, said all you have to do is download the Table to Table I-Rescue App, powered by Food Rescue Hero, on your phone to become a food rescue hero! You’ll complete a simple registration process and volunteer agreement, and then you can get started. The app walks you through every step! This is what Ed uses.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome to volunteer with our food rescue program. However, the driver must have a valid driver’s license, and a valid vehicle registration and insurance. 

Since we launched, more than 350 volunteers have completed more than 9,600 rescues and delivered more than 2 million pounds of donated food that would have been thrown away.

As New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue, our mission is to reduce food waste and provide nourishment to our food-insecure neighbors throughout North Jersey. We rescue millions of pounds of fresh food annually that would otherwise be wasted and end up in landfills, contributing to climate change. We deliver it to partner organizations who support the nearly 1.1 million people in our area who need it most.

Together, we can reduce food waste in our home and make a positive impact on the planet. Every little bit of effort — no matter how small — leads to change.

More than an estimated 120 million pounds of food, worth about $400 million, will go uneaten during the upcoming Independence Day weekend. That is about 20 percent of the food meant to be eaten during that time, according to ReFED, a national nonprofit working to end food waste by leveraging data and connecting individuals to help foster large-scale change within the food ecosystem. ReFED calculated the amount based on a survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

About an estimated 126 million pounds of food was wasted during the 2025 Independence Day weekend, according to ReFED.

Cost and Scale
  • Total Food Wasted: Over 120 million pounds of food ends up in the trash.
  • Financial Loss: The wasted food costs nearly $400 million.
  • Spending Per Person: Consumers spend an average of $94.41 on Fourth of July food alone

The most popular, and costly, type of wasted food is beef. More than half of the methane emissions from wasted food on Independence Day come from beef, according to ReFED. These emissions are equal to the emissions generated by powering 50,000 American homes for a year. Other high-waste foods include ice cream, pork, and potato chips.

The waste associated with the Independence Day holiday does not just occur when consumers fail to eat it. It can be measured throughout the food ecosystem lifecycle. The wasted used to produce this food can supply about 14 days of residential waster use throughout the state of California, according to ReFED.

Fourth of July Food Waste Reduction Tips

  • Buy only what you need: Plan out your meal ahead of time. That way, you only buy what you know people want. You also avoid impulse buying. You reduce food waste and save money!
  • Storage is key: Explore the best way to store different types of produce to keep them fresh for as long as possible – learn what goes on the counter, what belongs in bags, what should or shouldn’t be pre-washed. And don’t forget about your freezer. Many foods can be frozen for later use, like rolls and hamburger and hot dog meat.
  • Love your leftovers: Make sure you eat your leftovers. Instead of letting them droop in the back of the fridge, try folding them into new meals. Got some roasted veggies from last night’s dinner? Throw them into an omelet for breakfast or a salad for lunch. Leftover chicken? Shred it up and make tacos or toss it into a stir-fry.

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 work with food businesses of all types to rescued fresh, nutritious surplus food, and deliver it for free to 300+ social service organizations, pantries, shelters, community produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Through our community partnerships, Table to Table reaches families, children, veterans, older adults, and others in need, improving food security, nutritional access, and better health. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 120,700 tons of nutritious food—enough for 241,400,846 million meals—and delivered it to our neighbors in need, while also saving over 544 metric tons of methane from impacting climate change by preventing food waste.


Editor’s note: The above screenshot of photos first appeared in 201 Magazine’s June 2026 issue. Click here to view the photos.

201 Magazine ran a series of photos in their “be social” section from the 16th annual Behind The Seams fashion show that benefitted Table to Table. The event raised $200,000, enough to fund the rescue of nutritious food for 2 million healthy meals for our hungry neighbors.

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.

Photo Gallery

The Behind the Seams Fashion Show was held at Bottagra Restaurant and benefitted Table to Table.

Editor’s note: BC The Mag covered the Behind The Seams Fashion Show at Bottagra in Hawthorne. For more photos, click here.

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.

Montclair State University’s Social Work and Child Advocacy Department Co-Sponsors Event 

April 30, 2025 – Saddle Brook, NJ – Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, successfully concluded its third annual Partners for Good Conference co-sponsored by Montclair State University’s Social Work and Child Advocacy Department. The Partners for Good Conference is designed to connect, inform and empower the nonprofit’s partner pantries, social service agencies, shelters, and other community partners, who distribute the surplus food delivered by Table to Table to communities in need throughout Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson, and Morris counties.  

“This year’s Partners for Good Conference provided our community partners with an interactive venue to network, learn, and share resources to support their vital work in our communities,” said Heather Thompson, Executive Director, Table to Table. “Many of our partners are navigating extraordinary challenges – increasing need among our neighbors, limited staffs and budgets, and a multitude of unpredictable circumstances. This annual gathering is an opportunity to not only share critical information and build connections among our partners; it also welcomes State and County leaders to listen and engage in our collective efforts to reduce food insecurity,” Thompson concluded.

The day-long Conference featured partner panels, breakout discussions, and presentations addressing critical and timely topics that were informed by Table to Table’s Community Advisory Board. The afternoon capped off with a discussion about New Jersey’s newly launched Food Security Strategic Plan led by Mark Dinglasan and Dr. Jenny Schrum from the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA). 

“OFSA applauds Table to Table for another successful Annual Partners for Good Conference. It was a pleasure for Dr. Jenny and me to present the statewide food security strategic plan and implementation tool kit to the attendees and to answer questions,” said Mark Dinglasan, Executive Director, NJ Office of the Food Security Advocate. “New Jersey’s food security efforts, including the strategic plan, are rooted in the belief that true food security can only be achieved through multisector partnerships that have consensus and collaboration among interconnected partners. Hunger, poverty, and food insecurity are insidious foes that are highly complex and interconnected. Our efforts to combat them must be just as interconnected, and it is through events like the annual Partners for Good Conference that we are able to build these rich connections,” Dinglasan concluded. 

“We were pleased to partner with Table to Table for the second year in a row to support these important efforts and realize Montclair State University’s mission to serve our state’s dynamic, varied communities,” said Milton A. Fuentes, Psy.D. Interim Chair, Social Work and Child Advocacy Special Advisor to the Provost/Professor, Psychology Department, Montclair State University.  

Table to Table’s Partners for Good Conference was made possible through the generosity of our sponsors: Montclair State University’s Social Work and Child Advocacy, College of Humanities and Social Sciences; ShopRite Inserra Supermarkets Inc.; Horizon; Something to Talk About Marketing; Dorfman Abrams Music Accountants & Advisors; Bergen County Camera; and Premium Digital Office Solutions. 

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. 

###

To our Food Rescue Hero Volunteers,

I want to take a moment this National Volunteer Appreciation Month to personally thank you for the incredible role you play in advancing our mission. Because of your dedication, compassion, and willingness to step up day after day, we continue to rescue and deliver millions of pounds of fresh, nutritious food to our neighbors in need. That is not just impactful; it is life-changing work.

You are more than volunteers — you are a vital part of the Table to Table family. Every pickup, every delivery, every moment you give helps reduce food waste while bringing hope and nourishment to communities across New Jersey. The difference you make is real, and it is deeply appreciated.

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, and there is no better time to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary commitment you bring to this work. This month is a reminder of just how essential volunteers are to communities everywhere, but here at Table to Table, we see your impact every single day. We are incredibly grateful for all that you do and proud to celebrate YOU.

Simply put, none of this is possible without you.

Thanks again for your time, your energy, and your belief in what we do. Together, let’s continue to turn surplus into sustenance – one rescue at a time.

With gratitude,

A stylized handwritten signature in black ink, featuring looping, cursive strokes with overlapping lines and flourishes on a light background.

Heather Thompson,

Executive Director

Table to Table

Four women sit around a table indoors, each holding an orange and smiling or looking toward the camera. Yarn, cups, and craft supplies are spread across the table, suggesting a casual group activity or social gathering in a cozy room with wooden furniture and framed photos on the wall.

Editor’s note: Essex News Daily published an article featuring Table to Table partnering with the Bloomfield School District to rescue freshly-prepared food from school cafeterias and deliver it to our hungry neighbors. Read the original article here.

The food rescue organization Table to Table has launched a program, with help from the Grotta Fund for Older Adults, that is designed to provide local seniors with nourishing food for free, including a wide variety of fruit, meat, cereal packs, frozen meals, and Hello Fresh meal kits. 

Table to Table’s new program brings fresh rescued food, including prepared, ready-to-heat meals, whole fruit, salad cups, and cartons of milk. directly to participants of the Oakeside Seniors Program in Bloomfield, a bi-weekly social and wellness program for older adults run by the Township of Bloomfield and Neighbor to Neighbor Network. 

Table to Table also delivers to Manna Food Pantry and Toni’s Kitchen. These pantries then distribute the food to seniors through their soup kitchens, home delivery programs, and community distributions, ensuring that older adults who are homebound or have limited mobility can access nutritious food, according to a press release from the organization.  

Receiving this food from Table to Table at Oakeside is very beneficial to me. Not only is it always fresh and natural, but I also like the fact that it helps since I’m on a fixed income and have to stretch my pennies from month to month.


— Michelle, an Oakeside Senior Program participant

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 meals — and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 612 metric tons of methane.

Related:

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