Wine Tasting Event, Friday, April 27th from 7pm-10pm. Held at Heritage Vineyards (South Jersey). Get an exclusive chance to taste hand-selected wines from Joe Canals of West Deptford. 75+ wines from around the world will be available for tasting along with a tasty buffet of dinner items from Toscana Restaurant. This event is held by the Mullica Hill Rotary Club, all proceeds from this event help fund local and international projects. To purchase tickets click here.
Dining Out for Life, Thursday, April 26th. Sophie’s Bistro in Somerset, NJ will be donating 20% of our dinner proceeds to NJWAN, which will benefit women living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Join in helping out HJWAN. For more information call 732-545-7778.
Spring Wine Festival, Friday, April 27th from 7pm-10pm. At the Hilton Short Hills (North Jersey). 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.
Kitchen Tour Through Interlaken, Saturday, April 28th from 11am-3pm. Tour six kitchens and enjoy tastings from several area caterers. Tickets can be purchased at the Allenhurst Cleaners, 530 Main St. or by calling Vicki Hoagland at 732-531-9609.
Cape May Spring Festival, Saturday, April 28th from 1pm-3pm. A Sweet & Savory Smackdown will be held throughout properties in Cape May. Sample signature sweets or savory snacks, vote for your favorites, and get the recipes via e-mail. There will also be a beer and chocolate tasting at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St. at 2pm. For more information and reservations, call the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts at 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.
Farmstead Grilled Cheese Returns, Saturday, April 28th from 11am-3pm and every Saturday after. Farmstead Grilled Cheese returns to Cherry Grove Farm. Taste the grilled cheese that Princeton Eats called “Comfort Food Heaven? Not quite, just Chef Carmine Sacchitello’s grilled cheese at Cherry Grove Farm.” Cheese made on the farm, Village Bakery’s amazing breads, local farm fresh fillings, what could be better? Cherry Grove Farm
31st Annual Shad Festival, Saturday & Sunday, April 28th & 29th from 12:30pm-5:30pm. Each year the festival highlights our region’s arts community, the City of Lambertville, the Delaware River, and of course, our favorite fish, the Shad! The Shad Festival has evolved from a local art show into a nationally recognized award-winning event. Shad Fest features the area’s finest artists and crafters, great food and family entertainment. For more information, click here.
Asbury Park Restaurant Tour, Sunday, April 29th from 12pm-4pm. This inaugural event, hosted by The Chamber of Commerce, will feature small “bites” and one-of-a-kind sampling experiences at over 25 Asbury Park restaurants, lounges, juice bars and bakeries. For more information, click here.
And Beyond…
Food & Wine Tasting, Monday, April 30th, from 6pm-9pm. Held at Branches Catering in West Long Branch. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties will be the sole beneficiary of the Red Bank Rotary Club’s 12th Annual Food & Wine Tasting. The proceeds from the event will be used to support BBBSMMC?s mentoring programs and outreach services to the children of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties. Tickets are $65 per person. Click or call 732-859-9194.
5th Annual Cooking for Kids: Gourmet Fare From Everywhere, Monday, April 30th from 6pm-9:30pm. Held at the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel, East Rutherford, to benefit the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital’s pediatric programs and services. **Chefs who will be offering samplings of their signature dishes include Lidia Bastianich, Michael Carrino, Ryan DePersio, Ariane Duarte, Scott Cutaneo, and Jim Weaver. $200 general admission, $250 for a VIP ticket that includes a special gift bag. For more information, visit Click or call the St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center Foundation office at 973-754-4408.
Feasting on History, Tuesday, May 1st at 6pm. This restaurant gala is the Village’s signature fundraiser event. Each year on the first Tuesday in May, over 40 local and popular restaurants sample their signature entrees and specialties for guests to enjoy. In addition, local wineries and distributors sample over 100 wines. The event is held in Hangar #1 at Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum. For more information, click here.
Seafood City: Demonstration Cooking Class, Wednesday, May 2nd from 6:30pm-9:30pm. Arthur Schwartz will teach a demonstration cooking class at Kings Short Hills, 778 Morris Tpk. Menu highlights include clams casino (clams baked with seasoned butter and bacon), the Grand Central Oyster Bar’s oyster pan roast (oysters stewed in seasoned cream), Lundy’s biscuits (tiny baking-powder biscuits), shrimp Newburg (the original was lobster Newburg), and Zarela’s snapper hash (in tacos). Autographed copies of Arthur’s book New York City Food will be available after the class. To enroll, call 973-258-4009.
Big Brew Beer Festival, Friday & Saturday, May 4th & 5th. 3 Sessions: Friday, 7-11pm. Saturday, 12-4pm & 6-10pm. Held at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset. Enjoy great food, music, live entertainment, games, and of course, BEER! There will also be a mechanical bull and a mariachi band. For tickets and more information, click here.
Carol’s Creative Chocolatez, Saturday, May 5th from 2pm-4pm. Bound brook Memorial Library. If you love chocolate join us for this fun and tasty presentation. Carol Freedman, an award winning chocolatier, will discuss the history of chocolate and talk about where it comes from, where it grows, and how it is processed into what we call ‘chocolate.’ Carol will also be making some delicious chocolate nut bark and other delectable delights that attendees will be able to sample. Call 732-356-0043 to register.
Beer, Cheese and Chocolate Party, Saturday & Sunday, May 5th & 6th. Chocolate Lovers’ Club, Princeton. Come all you beer lovers, cheese lovers and chocolate lovers. We’ve included everyone’s favorite food groups in this 2 hour tasting extravaganza. Delicious appetizers provided and a cooking demo is included. This event is BYOB, so please bring some beer (preferably local) to pair with our cheese and chocolate. This is a great opportunity to support New Jersey breweries. Here is a great list of New Jersey breweries and brewpubs from New Jersey Craft Beer. To purchase your tickets call 609-851-0660.
Red Bank International Flavour Festival, Sunday, May 6th from 12pm-7pm. Twenty-five of Red Banks finest restaurants will be serving international favorites outdoors at the event. They will also feature international beer, wine and great entertainment on two stages. Family Friendly! For more information, click here.
Beer Sommelier Basic Training Event, Monday, May 7th. Morris Tap & Grill , New Jersey Craft Beer and Civilization Of Beer education consulting are teaming up to hold a one day intensive workshop for beer servers, sellers and bartenders, and others who have an interest in learning about beer across the state. Great opportunity! For 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.
Forks & Corks: A Culinary Experience, Monday, May 14th at 7pm (6pm for VIP). Jersey City. This exciting new culinary event with Host Chef Chris Siversen, will include some of New Jersey’s most popular restaurants preparing delicious bites alongside unique wine and cocktail pairings. Proceeds from the event will go to support critical programs and services for people living locally affected by multiple sclerosis and to help fund research to find a cure for MS. For tickets and more information, 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.
Winemaker’s Dinner, Wednesday, May 16th. Enjoy a five-course meal paired with wines from Ramey Wine Cellars. Please call for reservations and more information; 609-921-0153.
Wine and Whiskers, Thursday, May 17th from 7pm-9:30pm. Join Companion Animal Advocates for an evening of wine tasting, fabulous food, great prizes and more at the Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes. You will have the opportunity to order your favorite wines from the evening at the event discounted price, and CAA will receive a generous donation for each bottle ordere, courtesy of Carlo Russo’s Wine & Spirit World. For tickets or more information, click here.
Chili & Salsa Cook-Off, Saturday, May 19th from 11am-5pm. Come to one of the biggest events in 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
Beer vs. Wine, Saturday, May 19th from 7pm-11pm. Held at Atlantic City’s famous Boardwalk Hall, this one of a kind event is a concept created to solve that age old question: Beer or Wine, which is the ultimate beverage and how do they pair with delicious foods? 15 American craft breweries and 15 American wineries will be showcased, all complementing Atlantic City’s finest restaurants. For more information, click here.
Glassboro Vintage South Jersey Wine Festival, Saturday & Sunday, May 19th & 20th from 12pm-5pm. The South Jersey Tourism Corp. and Glassboro Marketplace are proud to present the first ever wine festival featuring Outer Coastal Plain wines exclusively! This event is held on Rowan Boulevard. For more information and tickets, click here.
6th Annual Bluegrass & Barbecue Festival, Sunday, May 20th from 11am-5pm. Tuckerton Seaport. Kick off the summer with the down home sounds of bluegrass and the sweet smell of barbecue. Crafters, vendors, food, refreshments, family activities, demonstrations, decoy carvers, boat building and boat rides. For more information, call 609-296-8868.
Balls with Attitude Competition, Thursday, May 24th from 6pm-8:30pm. Greater New Jersey Society for Healthcare Food Service culinary competition. Savory meat, vegetarian, futuristic, all balls qualify. For more information, click here.
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
Wine Tasting Benefit, Friday, June 1st from 7pm-11pm. Stafford Township PBA and Rt. 72 Buy Rite Liquors present their annual wine tasting fundraiser, all proceeds benefit the Southern Regional Scholarship fund. There will be over 100 wines to taste, a buffet style dinner and unlimited draft beer. For more information, click here.
Garden State Beer Expo, Saturday, June 2nd. Two sessions: 12pm-3:30pm & 5:30pm-9pm. Come sample some of the best brews available in the great Garden State at the PNC Bank Arts Center. Tickets are available online or at Spirits Unlimited locations. Click here for more information.
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.
BrewFest at the Ballpark, Saturday, June 23rd. Two sessions: 12pm-4pm & 6pm-10pm. Held at the Lakewood BlueClaws Stadium. There will be over 100 styles of beers to taste. There will be local, regional, national, and international brews. There will also be giveaways and a live broad casting from the WRAT. For more information and tickets, 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
