Good grief – it’s almost October already! How did that happen? Well, never mind – let’s take a look at what foodie adventures you can have this October:
Although the Rova Farm in Jackson isn’t operating its restaurant at this time, you have an opportunity to enjoy a Russian dinner the night of October 1 at Georgian Court University. And maybe even learn a little bit about one of Russia’s more well-known artists. Dinner and an Artist: Marc Chagall is the first of Georgian Court’s series of multimedia discussions on an artist with a special dinner pairing. The event is $37 per person, and seating limited, so make sure you reserve in advance.
If you love chowder, you cannot pass up the chance to be among thousands of crazed chowderheads on October 3 for LBI’s annual Chowderfest. For $20, you get to sample ten different red and white chowders and vote for your favorites. But Chowderfest is more than that – it’s a spirited competition where the competing restaurants really get into the moment. There’s chanting, there’s elaborate booths, there’s lots of funny hat-wearing…and then there’s the homemade chowder-holding palettes that are truly works of art. Chowderfest is lots of things – but mostly it’s a lot of fun.
Italian festivals in October are to be expected, since that’s when we celebrate Columbus Day. The Italian Street Festival in Seaside Heights is a three-day celebration from October 8-10, and culminates with the Columbus Day Parade on that Sunday. If you have been hankering for some Italian-American street food, like maybe a sausage and pepper sandwich, or perhaps a calzone, or maybe even some zeppoles, then this will be the right place for you.
Let’s continue down the ethnic trail, shall we, and talk about Oktoberfest. There will be two special, dare I say uber, events celebrating the brats and brews of Germany. Artisan’s Brewery & Italian Grill in Toms River is having an Oktoberfest Dinner on October 8 at 7PM that will have each course matched with a different beer. The dinner is $50 per person. On October 22, Laurita Winery in New Egypt is having a German Dinner from 7PM to 10PM. Please contact Laurita for further details.
The Ocean County Library is having Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations at a number of their branches. The Manchester branch is having a Fiesta on October 11, with food being provided by El Familiar of Toms River. The Celebration moves to the Stafford branch on October 13 with more music and food. And then on October 16, come to the Barnegat branch and Escuchar, Bailar y Fiesta! These events are all free to attend, but make sure you call ahead to reserve a spot.
John and Lisa Howard-Fusco Regional Editors, Ocean County. Although they and their two kids call Ocean County home, their John and Lisa Are Eating in South Jersey food blog has them traveling all over the southern region of New Jersey. They and their blog have been mentioned in articles by the New York Times, Courier-Post, nj.com and njmonthly.com. Lisa has written articles and reviews for South Jersey magazine as well as for Ed Hitzel’s Restaurant Newsletter and Hitzel’s Restaurant Magazine. And John could use a Gaetano’s cheesesteak right about now.
