Foodie Things To Do This Weekend And Beyond

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

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

Hesperides Kitchens’ Open House, Saturday, March 31st from 11am-3pm. Hawthorne, NJ. Check out over a dozen local food businesses at the shared space they call home. From baked goods to veggies and soups, there is something for everyone. For more information, click here.

Spring Fever Wine & Food Tasting, Sunday, April 1st from 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.

And Beyond…

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 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.

The Intersection of Art & Wine, Panel Discussion & Wine Tasting, Saturday, April 14th from 3pm-7pm. GAS Gallery and Studio, Maplewood, NJ. Exhibit open from April 3rd-May 5th. This unique exhibit will provide a real opportunity for artists, art lovers, wine lovers and critics alike to experience a view of the contemporary art and wine markets. Several of the wines represented by/in the artwork will be available for sampling to attendees. For more information, click here.

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.

***FREE Ticket Giveaway on Friday, March 30th by Jersey Bites. See below.***
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

***Jersey Bites is giving away a total of 12 tickets for FREE on Friday, March 30th. Keep an eye on our website and our Facebook page for details.***

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.

Green Solutions Conference for the Restaurant Industry, Tuesday, May 15th from 9am-12pm (Breakfast at 8am). Informative conference where industry experts will discuss how to make sustainability part of your culture, the cost of doing nothing, practical green solutions for small and large operations, and how to implement a “buy local” produce plan and green-influenced kitchen design. For more information, 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

Chef’s At The Shore, Thursday, June 21st from 5:30pm-9pm. Historic Gardner’s Basin. In conjunction with Professional Chefs Week, the fundraiser attracts local chefs from casino and regional restaurants. Enjoy some of the area’s finest foods. Proceeds from Chefs at the Shore benefit the Atlantic City Aquarium and the Professional Chefs Association (PCA), the latter of which uses the funds to support its education and scholarship programs. For more information, click here.

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