Beers on the Boards, Saturday, March 24th. Two sessions: 12:30pm-4pm & 6pm-9:30pm. A craft beer tasting festival on the boardwalk! With over 20 breweries and an all day gourmet buffet. Taste a tremendous variety of beer flavors. Buffet to include some cool beer inspired fare and different beer/food pairings to sample. Held Indoors at Martell’s Tiki Bar.For more information and tickets: BeersontheBoards.com
‘The Great Wine Regions of Italy’ Classes, No other country can match the opulence, or the complexity, of the contemporary wine scene in Italy. In 3 classes, you’ll visit the major regions; get to know the most important grapes; get a feeling for the warmth, finesse and generosity of Italian winemaking. Held at The Frog and the Peach, New Brunswick. Call 732-846-3216.
Friday sessions, beginning at 7:00 pm
March 23 • Campania, Basilicata, Sicily
March 30 • Piedmont and the North
Marty Wilson, Jr. Art and Music Foundation Wine Tasting, Friday, March 23rd from 6pm-9pm. Support the arts at this annual wine tasting fundraiser. Includes light fare with cash bar. Proceeds benefit Art & Music classes and scholarships for Atlantic County students. Held at Angeloni’s II Restaurant, Atlantic City. Tickets are $15, available at the door or call 609-347-4500.
Winemaker’s Food & Wine Pairing Dinner, Friday, March 23rd at 7pm. Laurita Winery. Reserve your spot for a special evening out enjoying Laurita’s award-winning wines and delicious food while learning about the basic ins and outs of wine tasting, choosing the perfect wine to accompany any meal, and how to avoid wine pairing pitfalls. Email reservation requests to Laurita@BranchesCatering.com or call 877-316-1753.
Wine & Cheese Pairing Class, Friday, March 23rd from 7pm-9pm. Sharrott Winery. An introduction to the classic and complex aspects of pairing wine and cheese. Tuition for the class is $25 and advance registration and payment is required. Please call the winery at 609-567-9463 to register.
New Jersey Craft Beer Week, March 25th- April 1st. From special discounts to tastings and other events this week is for the craft beer lover. This would be a great time to get introduced to the New Jersey Craft Beer membership program. For a list of events and locations, click here.
And Beyond…
Organic Greenhouse Dinner, Tuesday, March 27th at 6:30pm. The dinner will be the epitome of farm-to-table dining as ingredients for the dishes will be planted and harvested in the college’s Organic Greenhouse, and cooked and served by ACA’s talented students. The menu includes organically grown items, responsibly harvested seafood and free-range poultry. Guests will be seated inside the Organic Greenhouse and reservations are limited to the first 20 guests. Tickets are $75. RSVP to Careme’s Restaurant at (609) 343-4940.
Riedel Wine Tasting Seminar, Wednesday, March 28th at 6:30pm. Held at Miele Gallery, 9 Independence Way, Princeton. Join Riedel & Miele for an educational and entertaining program that will change your wine life forever! Tickets are $50 including a four-piece Vinum XL wine tasting set with a value of $123. Call 800-843-7231 or register online.
Milagro Tequila Tasting and Class, Wednesday, March 28th at 6:30pm. Joe Canal’s Discount Liquor Store in Iselin. The class will be led by Milagro brand co-founders, Daniel Schneeweiss and Moises Guindi. Upon arrival, everyone will receive a taste of the Fresh Margarita – Milagro Silver, Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice and Agave Nectar. We’ll also be serving cheese and crackers, and tasting through Milagro’s great tequila line. Tickets are $10. Reservations can be made in person or by calling 732-726-0077.
Taste Of Home Cooking Show, Thursday, March 29th. Edison, NJ. A traveling culinary event produced by “Taste of Home Cooking.” Each show features live cooking demonstrations of up to 10 new seasonal recipes performed by a Taste of Home Culinary Specialist. Attendees will take away cooking tips that will make anyone a star in their own kitchen. They’ll also receive a gift bag chock full of more than $40 in valuable merchandise, including cooking magazines, cooking tools/utensils, promotional items, coupons and more. For ticket & venue information click here.
Husdon County CASA’s 6th Annual Wine Tasting, Sweets & Eats, Friday, March 30th from 6pm-9pm. Atrium in the Harborside Financial Center on the Jersey City waterfront. Enjoy sampling over 90 wines with sweets and treats gathered from the metropolitan area’s best purveyors. The night will also include hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction featuring one-of-a kind prizes, free parking, and much more!
New Jersey Wine & Food Festival, March 30th-April 1st. Held at Crystal Springs Resort this even is a celebration of the world’s best wines and renowned local and national chefs. The weekend’s events are designed to allow food and wine lovers to meet and mingle with chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and fellow wine aficionados. For more information: Crystal Springs
Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival 2012
The focus of The Atlantic City Beer Festival is the promotion of craft beers and the brewers that create them. Now in its 7th year the festival has taken a truly organic turn with the addition of original music from artists across the Tri-State area.
Session 1: Friday, March 30th from 7pm-11pm. Session 2: Saturday, March 31st from 12pm-4pm. Session 3: Saturday, March 31st from 6pm-10pm.
The 2012 Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival will not only highlight great beer and music but will also feature culinary demonstrations from local area chefs, beer seminars hosted by author and television personality Gary Monterosso as well as others and we can’t forget the amazing festival vendors… lots and lots of food and beer related vendors. This year’s festival will appeal to absolutely everyone.
For more information and tickets: AC Beer & Music Fest
Spring Fever Wine & Food Tasting, Sunday, April 1st fro, 12pm-5pm. Held at Branches in Long Branch. A sampling of more than 250 award winning New Jersey wines from 23 wineries and gourmet foods in an award-winning setting noted regionally for its elegance and attention to detail. For more information and for tickets, click here.
International Association of Culinary Professionals Book & Blog Fest, Sunday, April 1st from 1:30pm-4:30pm. Millennium Broadway Hotel, New York, NY. The event gives both IACP members and the public a chance to meet, greet, and discover top culinary writers in a festive, fun environment with music, giveaways, and, of course, books. For more information, click here.
Taste of Madison, Monday, April 2nd from 7pm-9:30pm (VIP Hour: 6-7pm). Held at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, Taste of Madison has become THE premiere food tasting event in Morris County, providing the opportunity to sample wonderful wines and signature dishes from some of Madison’s finest chefs and restaurants, all on one night and under one roof. For tickets and more information: Gary’s Wine
5 Course Beer Dinner with special a special guest from The Bruery. Wednesday, April 4th at 6:30pm. Jonas Nemura joins in on the beer dinner at Cloverleaf Tavern in Caldwell as you enjoy a five course menu paired with brews from The Bruery. Tickets are $55 and must be purchased prior to the event. For more information please call 973-226-9812.
Slow Food Pot Luck Lunch, Saturday, April 7 at 11:30 am. The first Slow Food Central New Jersey potluck at Cherry Grove Farm. We gather to celebrate food, community and a beautiful spring day on the farm. All you need to do is to bring a dish made of local ingredients to share. Please email Nirit Yadin at nyadin@gmail.com to register!
An Evening in Warsaw, Tuesday, April 10th from 6pm-9pm. Culinary Workshops Offer Taste of Global Cuisine at Atlantic Cape. Explore the rich culinary history of this classic Eastern European cuisine. The menu will include Beetroot Borscht, Pierogies Ruskie, Golumpki (stuffed cabbage), and Morello Cherry Soup for dessert. To register, call 609-343-4829 or visit www.atlantic.edu/conted.
The Chef and the Brewer: Why the Best Wine for Dinner May Just Be a Beer, Wednesday, April 11th at 6:30pm. Held at Careme’s Gourmet Restaurant, M-Building. Sample international brews and learn how to pair them with your meal during a beer tasting and dinner, led by Dr. Lynn Hoffman, beverage expert and former Atlantic Cape Beacons by the Sea Visiting Instructor. Hoffman will be available to sign copies of his book, The Short Course in Beer. Tickets are $30. RSVP to the restaurant at 609-343-4940.
The Rahway Taste of Spring! Friday, April 13th. An event that takes up the entire site of the Arts District Recreation Center, and spills over into adjoining tents. The event hosts over 80 fine gourmet eateries, caterers, and food vendors from the Rahway metro area stretching across three counties. Included you will find well over two dozen fine wine/boutique beer/aperitif tasting stations with vendors of national stature. You will have a memorable gourmet food experience while having the opportunity to savor tastings of over 150 top shelf wine selections. rahwaytaste.com for additional details.
Ventnors Chefs Night Out, Sunday, April 15th from 4pm- 8pm. The Ventnor City Beautification Committee is the proud sponsor of the event. Eat at TEN of Ventnor’s “Yummy-Licious” Restaurants! Plus Homemade Candy, Water Ice and a Wine Tasting. Tickets are $40 per ticket. Tickets are limited. Enjoy the talents of local musicians and artists creations as well. Call 267-980-7632 or 609-929-1710 for tickets.
Jersey Shore Restaurant Week
The eagerly anticipated Jersey Shore Restaurant Week™ returns to the area April 13-22, 2012. Nearly 70 restaurants from the Highlands to Toms River will be participating, offering three course meals with three choices in each category for $20.12 or $30.12. This year, Restaurant Week will also offer a specially priced lunch option at selected restaurants.
The week begins with the gala Kick-Off Party at The Breakers Hotel in Spring Lake on Thursday, April 12, 2012. “Savor the Spring” is the theme as top area chefs nourish taste buds with the freshest foods of the season. Other highlights include, an International Wine Bar, delicious desserts, a cheese station and pate bar and live music. A VIP session will start at 6pm with 90+ rated wines, a special menu and a spectacular swag bag of gifts.
Other Special Events planned for the week include:
Sunday, April 15th
Great Jersey Shore Martini Contest
The Mill. Spring Lake Heights. Area bartenders compete for the best martini at the Shore. Professional panel and “People’s Choice” awards.
Monday, April 16th
Shipwreck Point Wine Dinner
Point Pleasant
Top rated steakhouse prepares a classic steak dinner paired with boutique wines. Hors d’ouevres, 4 courses, all paired with wines.
Tuesday, April 17th
Happy Hour!
Mosouttos
Wednesday, April 18th
“Shellfish and Chardonnay” Happy Hour
Jack Baker’s, Point Pleasant
Specially priced shrimp, oysters, clams and chardonnay
Thursday, April 19th
Tour de Porta
Porta, Asbury Park
Experience one of the Shore’s hottest new restaurants. Sample foods and wine, kitchen tour, cooking demo, live music.
Friday, April 20th
Ruffino Wine Dinner
Buona Sera, Red Bank
Hors d’ouvres, 4 courses, all paired with delicious Ruffino wines.
Saturday, April 21st
“Burgers, Bloodies and Brews”
Harpoon Willy’s, Manasquan.
Enjoy your choice of a specialty burger with a Bloody Mary or beer, all at a great price
Sunday, April 22nd
Countdown to Summer
Venue: TBD
Beach BBQ, summer drinks, live music
FOR EVENT DETAILS AND TICKETS VISIT: www.jerseyshorerestaurantweek.com
Build a Rain Barrel Workshop, Wednesday, April 18th at 6:30pm. Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County presents Build a Rain Barrel workshop. Participants will build their own rain barrel and learn how to install it at home. A rain barrel is placed under a gutter’s downspout next to a house, to collect rain water from the roof. The water collected is great for watering your gardens. Register by contacting Jan Carrato at 732-600-1802 or Hybiscus20@yahoo.com. Participants MUST register prior to event.
Spring Wine & Cheese, Saturday & Sunday, April 21st & 22nd from 12pm-5pm. Enjoy an exciting line-up of featured wines paired with imported cheeses. Taste Heritage Vineyards newest wine releases including Cuvée Blanc, an exciting blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris & Semillon! For more information, click here.
Eat Local- Meet Local, Pot Luck Dinner, Monday, April 23rd from 6pm-8pm. Elijah’s Promise, Better World Cafe and Slow Food Central New Jersey would like to invite you for an evening of good food and good talk about strengthening our Central Jersey food community. Come and meet local farmers, restaurateurs, chefs, entrepreneurs, gardeners and other food enthusiasts. For more information and to register, click here.
Taste Of Home Cooking Show, Thursday, April 26th. Mays Landing, NJ. A traveling culinary event produced by “Taste of Home Cooking.” Each show features live cooking demonstrations of up to 10 new seasonal recipes performed by a Taste of Home Culinary Specialist. Attendees will take away cooking tips that will make anyone a star in their own kitchen. They’ll also receive a gift bag chock full of more than $40 in valuable merchandise, including cooking magazines, cooking tools/utensils, promotional items, coupons and more. For ticket & venue information click here.
Wine Tasting Event, Friday, April 27th from 7pm-10pm. Held at Heritage Vineyards. Get an exclusive chance to taste hand-selected wines from Joe Canals of West Deptford. 80+ wines from around the world will be available for tasting along with a tasty buffet of dinner items from local restaurants. To purchase tickets please call Phyllis at from the Mullica Hill Rotary Club at 856-223-9900 or Heritage Vineyards at 856-589-4474.
Spring Wine Festival, Friday, April 27th from 7pm-10pm. At the Hilton Short Hills. 100+ fine wines hand-selected for your tasting pleasure by the experts of the Wine Library. Relax, mix n’ mingle with wine lovers just like you! Sip a diverse array of wines, nibble on delicious accompanying light fare, and kick back with the smooth sounds of live jazz. For tickets and more information, click here.
Garden State Brewfest, Saturday, May 12th from 2pm-6pm. Support your local community! Come on out to sample great beers from local breweries while supporting charities. Enjoy music from live local bands. For more information and tickets: Garden State Brewfest
Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend, Saturday & Sunday, May 12th & 13th. At participating wineries across the state. Many New Jersey wineries will offer a special wine tasting during this trail weekend; a perfect way to spend time with Mom. For trail maps, click here.
Chili & Salsa Cook-Off, Saturday, May 19th from 11am-5pm. Come to Downtown Toms River to taste tons of chili and salsa. There will be live entertainment, vendors and crafts. For more information: Chili & Salsa Cook-Off
Jersey Shore Food Truck Wars, Sunday, May 27th. Join us for the first ever Jersey Shore Food Truck Wars! The top food trucks in town (and out of town) will be rolling in to serve up their delicious dishes and try to earn your vote for People’s Choice. JS Food Truck Wars
Jersey Shore Wine Festival, Saturday & Sunday, June 2nd & 3rd from 12pm-5pm. The BlueClaws host the annual wine fest at FirstEnergy Park. Sample a variety of award-winning wines from throughout New Jersey. Enjoy live musical entertainment throughout both days, crafters, vendors, and food, plus a play area for the kids. For more information, click here.
Farm-to-Fork Fundraiser, Saturday, June 9th at 6pm. Brady Life Camp in Pottersville, NJ. There will be a farm fresh meal catered, live entertainment, 50/50 and live and silent auctions. Proceeds go towards America’s Grow-a-Row’s mission to positively impact as many lives as possible through a volunteer effort of planting, picking, rescuing, and delivering free fresh produce. For more information and to be a sponsor, please visit: America’s Grow a Row
42nd Annual New Jersey Irish Festival, Sunday, June 10th. Join us for live entertainment on two different stages, Pipe & Drum Band Competition, Catholic Mass, Food Vendors, Craft Vendors, Irish Step Dancing, Family Activities, 50/50 Raffle and a full day of live Thoroughbred racing. Irish Festival
Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival, July 26th-29th. Festival will enjoy four days of events, tastings and celebrity chef appearances that showcase the city’s abundant culinary offerings. www.acfoodandwine.com
