Event details are subject to change without notice. Please confirm directly before heading out!
THIS WEEKEND:
May 17: Chili-heads rejoice! Washington Street in downtown Toms River is the place for the 25th annual New Jersey State Chili & Salsa Cookoff. Cooks from all walks of life and skill levels bring the heat from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Buy a tasting kit ($6 in advance, $7 at the event) and judge for yourself. But don’t show up late or you might miss some entries!
May 17: The Vintage South Jersey Wine Road Show is bringing the vino to The Roebling Museum this Saturday from 12PM to 4PM. Sample wines from Valenzano, Bellview and Auburn Road wineries with some food and tour the museum exhibits. Tickets are $30 a person, and you must purchase them online.
May 17 and 18: The food trucks are coming back to the winery! Laurita Winery in New Egypt, to be more precise. The Food Truck and Fire Pits weekend is back, and more than 20 food trucks will be parked and serving up a vast array of deliciousness. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to the event is $8 per person, and tickets can be purchased online. Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Road, New Egypt.
May 18: Collingswood has created a number of interesting food traditions, and the Porch Brunch and House Tour is unique. Starting with brunch at 11 a.m., guests can tour seven different homes along Harvard Avenue. New this year: restaurants will be cooking up a storm as the tour comes by. Brunch and tour is $28 per person. Call 609-238-5407 for brunch reservations.
May 18: Local restaurants come together for a Taste of Evesham, which will be held on Main Street in Marlton from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. A cooking demonstration by Chef Eddie Berner, former guitar player for A Flock of Seagulls, is sure to entertain. Tickets range from free for kids under 4 to $15 for adults (includes wine and beer tasting).
AND BEYOND:
May 24 and 25: Triple Oaks Nursery & Herb Garden in Franklinville is back with its annual Herb Festival. Learn about growing various kinds of herbs and sample different herb-infused nibbles. The event is free to attend. Call 856-694-4272 for information.
May 24 to 26: The Food Trucks Showdown returns to Monmouth Park Racetrack, featuring 26 of the best trucks in the NJ-NY-PA area. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. Admission is $3, parking $4 and children under 12 enter for free. Join “Party Marty” from Rockin’ Country Thunder 107.1 on Saturday and then Sunday is Family Fun Day. Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport.
May 29: Unionville Vineyards, located in Ringoes will host its first ever BYOB: Bring Your Own Basket, Picnic with the Winemaker at 12:30 p.m. Winemaker Cameron Stark, formerly of Robert Sinskey and Merryvale, crafts, artisan wines which reflect local terroir as well as his superb craftsmanship. Ask those questions you’ve always wanted to ask (about grape growing or wine making or anything else you’ve been wondering about). Unionville Vineyards will offer the unique opportunity to share wine with the man who made it in a casual setting at the BYOB picnic. Brick Farm Market in Hopewell, NJ, will be offering specials for picnic lunches. Reservations are not required for this event. Please contact Stacy Brody, Operations Coordinator, with any questions. Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Road, Ringoes. 908-788-0400.
May 31: The Montclair Food & Wine Festival kicks off with a Grand Tasting at the Montclair Art Museum. Event tickets are $95 (general admission) from 7-9 p.m. VIP tickets are offered at $120 (6 p.m. early admission). The museum’s stunning galleries will be open to attendees for viewing. Approximately 30 restaurants from Montclair (and beyond) will be on hand with samples of choice bites. Tickets and details can be found here. Use promo code JerseyBites (case sensitive) for 10% off admission into any session! Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Ave., Montclair.
May 31: Jersey Fest featuring Food Truck Mash-Up. Specialty Food Trucks (15+), Beer Garden, Live Music, Family Entertainment, Great Vendors and Harness Racing. Free Admission and free parking. Meadowlands Racetrack, 1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford.
May 31: Uber-hopped IPAs and fire-breathing sauces come together for the Hop Sauce Festival on Bay Avenue in Beach Haven. It’s a celebration of craft brews, hot sauces and local eats. The festival runs from 11AM to 7PM, and admission is $10 ($25 to sample beer).
June 6: Do you love Argentine wine? The Grapeful Palate in Morristown is hosting a luxurious dinner event at The Grand Cafe, featuring Pulenta Estate wines of Argentina, on Friday, June 6, at 7 p.m. An hors d’oeuvres reception will be followed by entrees featuring scallop ceviche, pan-seared Arctic char, fusilli with sage-basil pesto, and grilled Argentine steaks, each paired with a select Pulenta Estate wine. The meal concludes with coffee and a banana-mango crepe with dulce de leche. $88 per person plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, contact Walter at 973-540-9444 or email info@thegrandcafe.com. The Grand Cafe, 42 Washington Street, Morristown, 973-540-9444.
June 9: The Jersey Shore Partnership will host its Summer Celebration, the Foundation’s annual friend raising/fundraising activity in a huge open tent at Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook (overlooking Sandy Hook Bay). More than 450 guests are expected to attend the event representing elected officials, the educational community, corporations, not-for-profits and individuals from Cape May to Monmouth County to enjoy fantastic food prepared by New Jersey chefs with seafood contributed by Jersey coast fisheries. Local restaurateur Tim McLoone will be honored with the Tom Gagliano Leadership Award for his commitment to the Jersey Shore. Tickets are $100 and may be purchased in advance at jerseyshorepartnership.com.
June 21: Hot Rods and Food Trucks! Hundreds of cars, music, prizes, vendors, and fun for the whole family. Free admission for spectators! Plus an extreme Food Truck Showdown—come hungry and leave satisfied! Bay Boulevard and Grant Avenue, Seaside Heights.
