Peach Party, Saturday, August 4th from 11am-2pm. Collingswood Community Center. Join the Food Bank of South Jersey for the debut of our first-ever food-rescue product, Just Peachy Salsa! You’ll get to taste it, buy it, and hear how we did it. This salsa comes with chunks of real Jersey peaches and packs a little heat. During the event, local chefs will also be serving up tastings that showcase the Jersey peach. Then you be the judge and cast your vote for the best recipe on your way out! More info.
28th Annual Peach Festival, Saturday, August 4th from 10am-4pm, Dutch Neck Village, Bridgeton. There will be lots of crafters, live entertainment, pony rides, food, fresh peaches, peach desserts and more.
Summer Wines Tasting & Tour, Sunday, August 5th from 2:30pm-4:30pm. Whether you’re new to wine, a connoisseur, or somewhere in between, this educational seminar will provide new-found appreciation for wine. Crystal Springs Resort Sommelier Susanne Lerescu will inspire you with her wine knowledge during this two hour class and tasting with a focus on Summer Wines. Following the class is a tour of the Resort’s 135,000 bottle Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine cellar. Click for more information.
Colombian Cultural Independence Festival, Sunday, August 5th. Every year, the Elizabeth Colombian Cultural & Independence Festival fills Morris Avenue in Elizabeth, NJ, with the Colombian colors of YELLOW, BLUE and RED. In proud celebration of the Colombian Culture and Independence Day. You don’t have to be Colombian to enjoy the festivities, but you should expect to be immersed in the Colombian culture. At the (ECCIF), you will taste and experience various Colombian cuisines, in over 50 Ethnic food kiosks.
And Beyond…
An Evening in Our South Jersey Garden, Culinary Workshop, Tuesday, August 7th from 6pm-9pm. Culinary Workshops Offer Taste of Global Cuisine at Atlantic Cape. Learn how to get the most out of your farmers market or garden co-op. Receive tips on preparing locally grown eggplant, zucchini and tomatoes, and end the night by making strawberry-rhubarb pies and blueberry desserts. To register, call 609-343-4829 or visit www.atlantic.edu/conted.
South Jersey Food Swap, Tuesday, August 7th from 7pm-9pm. The August food swap will be held at Bellview Winery. Swap local food with the community and enjoy wine samplings at the winery. Click for more info.
The Most Noblest White…. Riesling or Chardonnay? | Wine Class, Tuesday, August 7th from 7pm-9pm. Held at 55 Main Restaurant in Flemington. What makes Riesling and Chardonnay so unique and special? You will taste both New and Old World expressions of each varietal and determine which one reigns the best. The two hour wine tasting classes will feature 6 memorable wines as well as 3 dishes expertly prepared to pair with the wines. Click to register.
Italian Festival, Wednesday – Sunday, August 8th – 12th. Located in Ocean Township, NJ. There’s something for everyone! From sampling the great taste of Italy’s delicious food, rides, games, music, and fireworks display on Friday at 9 pm. This year’s festival promises 5 fun filled days of entertainment for the entire family. Click for more details.
Chocolate Fair, Thursday, August 9th from 6pm-8pm at the Long Beach Island Historical Association’s Museum. Many stations of luscious chocolate treats- Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream of Beach Haven, Country Kettle Fudge of Bay Village, Cand Treats from Kapler’s, Home-baked Chocolate Delights, Layer Cakes, Cupcakes, Brownies, Cookies, etc. Beautiful Chocolate Fountain for dipping Bananas, Marshmallows, & Pound Cake. Tickets sold at Door. Proceeds go to Maintenance of Museum. 609-492-0700
Cape May Craft Beer & Crab Fest, Saturday, August 11th from 11am-8pm. Held at the beautiful grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., Cape May, an all-day festival featuring local and regional craft beers to wash down favorite summer picnic foods. Click for more details.
Rock Hops, Saturday, August 11th starting at 1:30pm. Mercer County Park, NJ. A beer & music festival celebrating grass roots Americana, music and craft beer. Click here for more information.
hMag Lackawanna Music Festival, Saturday, August 18th. Pier A in Hoboken. Sponsored by Ben & Jerry’s (we can only hope they bring ice cream). The event will be hosted by MTV’s Matt Pinfield and will feature the headliner band Tokyo Police Club. Other bands will include Vacationer, Shinobi Ninja, Body Language, Lights Resolve, We Barbarians, The Nightmare, River Band. Pilsener Haus will also be providing a Biergarten at the event as well. The music portion of the event is free but people are required to RSVP.
EARTH Center Garden Field Day | Open House, Saturday, August 18th from 10am-3pm. South Brunswick, NJ. This is a chance to join Farmers Against Hunger and help local farmers donate fresh produce to area soup kitchens, food pantries, and those in need. There will be a lot going on at this big event. The Extension Agriculture Department as well as the County Master Gardeners will be on hand, offering sound advice on horticulture and environmental stewardship. Tours will be given, kid’s activities, Jersey Fresh Taste Test, live music and more.
Canal Day | Music & Craft Festival, Saturday, August 18th from 10am-5pm. Hugh Force Canal Park, Wharton, NJ. Taste traditional ethnic foods of Italian delicacies, Cornish pasties, homemade cakes and other edibles will be for sale. Enjoy great music from NJ musicians, kayaking, mule drawn boat rides, traveling zoo, crafts, fire works, and much more.
Barefoot Grape Stomping, Saturday, August 18th from 2pm-5pm. Four Sisters Winery. Don’t miss out on the fun as you stomp grapes with your barefeet and feel the grape skins squeeze between your toes. Grape stomping event includes formal wine tasting, buffet style dinner, wine cellar tour, barefoot grape stomping and concludes with a dessert wine tasting. Reservations required.
Shore Chef Crab Cake Cook-Off, Saturday & Sunday, August 18th & 19th from 12pm-5pm. Monmouth Park. Shore Chefs compete for the best crab cake award and the coveted People’s Choice Award. Taste fare from your favorite local restaurants. Crab cakes, fried catfish, and clam chowder bread bowls are just a few of the favorites. More information.
10th Annual Seafood Festival | And Car Show, Saturday & Sunday, August 18th & 19th from 11am-5pm. Bellview Winery, Landisville, NJ. Delicious seafood prepared fresh by local vendors along with great live music. Attractions include selected crafters and gourmet food vendors, cigars, massages and of course, wine tasting under the wine tent! Saturday also features an extensive American Car Show. Click for details.
Red Bank Food & Wine Walk, Sunday, August 19th from 2pm-6pm. * LAST RB food & wine walk for this summer! Purchase a wristband for $25/person and spend the afternoon strolling through the beautiful riverfront town while sampling food and wine from Red Bank’s fine food establishments. Click here for details.
Saint Sebastian’s Italian Feast, Wednesday – Sunday, August 22nd – 26th. Montclair, NJ. The 5 day event features a wide variety of fine Italian foods such as zeppole, sausage and pepper and cheese steak sandwiches, oven brick pizza and all the Feast favorites. Plenty of rides for the kids and adults as well as games, novelties, nightly entertainment will include the talents of local Italian favorites, Tommy Scala and award winning Sinatra idol, Eric DeLauroe. There will also be a 50/50 raffle. More info.
Buffalo’s 2012 Spicy Wing Challenge, Saturday, August 25th at 3pm. Buffalo’s Chicken Shack, Wood Ridge, NJ. They’re back and the challenge is expected to be bigger, better and if you can believe it, Hotter this year. As always, they issue the challenge to those that can both stand the heat and eat some wings. Winning is just as easy this year as it’s been every other year, just eat more than person next to you! Click for registration and details.
Bridgeton Crabfest and Beer Garden | Cohansey RiverFest, Saturday, August 25th from 10am-8pm. An all day event in conjunction with the Cohansey RiverFest. Food vendors, crab dinner, beer garden, cooking demonstrations, craft vendors, music and much more.
Chili Cooks Against Cancer, Saturday, August 25th from 11am-6pm. West Windsor. The ICS Sanctioned contest includes three chili categories – Red Chili, Verde (green) Chili and Salsa ICS Sanctioned contest includes three chili categories – Red Chili, Verde (green) Chili and Salsa. Chili Lovers? Come out and taste Chili or volunteer to be a judge, either way you’ll have a wonderful time. Kids Activities and Live Entertainment as well as beer! Click for details.
Sharrott Winery Harvest Festival, Saturday & Sunday, August 25th & 26th from 12pm-5pm. Celebration of the grape harvest. Enjoy live music on their field overlooking the vineyards. On Saturday they will have the Matt Noffsinger Band. On Sunday they’ll have Midlife Crisis. Food will be available as well as craft vendors. Of course there is the wonderful wine tasting. Admission to the festival is $10 per person, $8 in advance. Tickets can be purchased online.
Sustenance on the Farm Dinner, Sunday, August 26th from 5pm-8pm. Morristown, NJ. Fosterfields resident farmer Rob Kibbe will provide a farm tour. The chefs will prepare an elegant farm-to-table six-course dinner centered around Fosterfields, vegetables, grass-fed meat and poultry as well as School Lunch Farms heirloom vegetables. Vegetarian and Vegan options are available. Learn more about this great event and fundraiser.
Wildwood Restaurant Week, Sunday – Friday, August 26th-31st. Enjoy delicious courses from local Wildwood restaurants fro just $30. Click here for more information.
Great Tomato Tasting, Wednesday, August 29th from 3pm-dusk, Pittstown, NJ. This event includes the very popular tasting of over 60 heirloom and hybrid tomato varieties, chef demonstrations, guided educational wagon tours of the farm’s research plots, tastings of honey, basil, apples and peaches, professional advice offered by the Hunterdon County Board of Health Staff on stink bugs, mosquitoes and black flies – pesky insects near and dear to local residents, and “square foot” gardening demonstrations for those interested in small, productive gardens. Click for more info.
BBQ & Craft Beer Festival, Saturday & Sunday, September 1st & 2nd. Monmouth Park. Ribs, pulled pork, brisket – it’s all back and better than ever, served up by some of the Garden State’s best BBQ joints. In addition, cool off with a cold one in the beer garden. More information.
West Cape May Jersey Tomato Festival, Saturday, September 1st from 9am-5pm. Featuring Jersey fresh grown tomatoes, Tomato jewelry, tomato soups, tomato tacos & all things tomato, fine vendors, South Jersey Artists, handmade jewelry, and stained glass. Located in Wilbraham Park. Call 609-884-9325 for information.
An Evening in Normandy, Culinary Workshop, Tuesday, September 11th from 6pm-9pm. Culinary Workshops Offer Taste of Global Cuisine at Atlantic Cape. The home of Taillevent, chef to kings and author of France’s first cookbook, this region, located near the coast and its abundance of lush orchards and dairies, dictates the cuisine that is rich with seafood, butter, cream, fruit and meat. The menu will include Moules Normande, Veal Calvados, Pear and Camembert Salad, and Creamy Apple Tart for dessert. To register, call 609-343-4829 or visit www.atlantic.edu/conted.
WineFest 2012, Saturday & Sunday, September 15th & 16th from 12pm-5pm. Held at Valenzano Winery in Shamong, NJ. Sample award winning, local, wines from seven New Jersey wineries, while enjoying live entertainment. There will also be local restaurants providing food and cheese tastings, try grapes right from the vine, children’s activities, helicopter rides and much more.
Sweet treats and many New Jersey bakers were on display at the Sweet & Stylish event at the Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival held at Ceasar’s Atlantic City Hotel & Resort.
By far, our favorite dessert was a green tea meringue nestled in a pool of yuzu cream from Philippe Chin French Asian Bistro in Somers Point. Yuzu is a Japanese fruit that tastes very similar to a lime. The light and flaky cookie and fluffy creme was a zesty, tart and refreshing change from cupcakes and tarts offered by the other bakers.
The fashion show was co-hosted by Nadia and Hoboken’s Buddy Valastro, of Carlos’s Bakery, which is featured on TLC’s “Cake Boss.” Nadia was right at home on the runway and did a fantastic job announcing the fashions from bebe, but Buddy seemed a little out of place, and compared the metal decorations on a dress to the draping of cake frosting. The highlight of the show was when the bakers got to strut their stuff on the catwalk and have the spotlight with a special guest appearance by Southern cuisine queen Paula Deen, who also loved Nadia’s bacon filled chocolate.
Kabab Paradise is a spotless, take-out and eat-in restaurant featuring succulent Afghan dishes in Morris County. Using an interesting combination of charcoal and lava rocks as the flame and heat source for its busy grill, this restaurant is known to stop traffic in its tracks on bustling Beverwyck Road with the incredible aromas it exudes.
On a recent visit, my party enjoyed an attractive platter of hummus ($3.99 for small and $6.99 for large), made on the premises. The small portion, enough for two diners, is beautifully presented with just the right amount of fruity olive oil.
Kabab Paradise is a must-try for a casual meal prepared using fresh ingredients by a team focused on making customers fantasize about their next visit as they walk out the door, completely satisfied. A second location in South Bound Brook (60 Main Street) makes it convenient for both Central and Northern New Jersey patrons to enjoy Kabab Paradise.
Despite the heat and sweat pouring down my back, we were able to make our way around to sample some good beer and some mighty fine ‘Cue. The best part about these events for me is meeting the owners and chefs who are so passionate about their restaurants and their food. I chatted for a while with Bob, from 
Some of the other participants included 
Chef Zakary Pelacci, the award-winning Chef and Founder of the Fatty Crew, which owns and operates the critically-acclaimed restaurants 
Tuckahoe Brewing showed up with their Marshallville Wit which you would expect in the summer but then made the gutsy call to pour their Steelmantown Smoked Porter along side it. It was oaky and peaty and well suited to anything a barbecue could conjure up. The liquid version of hardwood charcoal. I’ve developed a taste for the spicy flavor of rye beers lately and Turtle Stone’s is a great example. However, their American Stout was roasty, smooth and dry enough to cut through the inevitable fat you will encounter with any barbecue fare. Boaks had a bunch of beers but the Wooden Beanie had to be the best. Dry vanilla goodness just begs for barbecue! Jersey’s biggest craft brewer, Flying Fish poured the expected summer offerings, but I was happy to see their Abbey Dubbel on the table. It’s what you expect from the style; cherries, raisins, and some brown sugar. I’d like to use it in a barbecue sauce. These may seem like unlikely beers for a blistering summer day, but they aren’t as heavy as you think and barbecue never tasted better!
Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival, Thursday- Sunday, July 26th-29th. Festival will enjoy four days of events, tastings and celebrity chef appearances that showcase the city’s abundant culinary offerings. 
Hot Air Balloon Festival, Friday- Sunday, July 27th-29th. The Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. From twice daily mass ascensions of over 100 special shape and sport hot air balloons, to headlining concerts, non-stop family entertainment, hundreds of crafters and vendors, great food, fireworks, a balloon glow, a 5k run and more, the festival is jam-packed with stuff to do. This year there will be a special Breakfast with the Balloons VIP ticket available for Sunday. 
Sunset Lobster Bake, Saturday, July 28th at 6pm. Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes NJ. The event promises to be a night of great music, food and wine! The cost is $85.00 a person which includes appetizers, dinner, a selection of Unionville wines and sangria and a Unionville logo wine glass! Live music all night performed by Brian Erickon. Register online.
Alice Szigethy opened her Lake Hopatcong restaurant, Alice’s, in 2009 to the pleasure of lake residents and weekenders. The establishment overlooks New Jersey’s largest lake and offers gorgeous views from inside the restaurant and on its expansive patio area.
If you think gazpacho is the only soup you can have in mid-summer, ladies and gents, this chowder is going to change your mind. The sweetness of fresh summer Jersey corn is a perfect counter-balance to the richness of the cream and the starchiness of the potatoes. For this recipe, I traveled into Morris County to obtain fresh veggies from Pine Brook’s 
Ingredients:
First, prep the veggies. Shuck and de-silk the corn. The easiest way to take the kernels off is to stand the cob up in a big bowl, stump-side down. Using a smaller paring knife, cut down the side of the cob as deep as you can. You know you’ve gone too deep into the cob when it’s hard to run the knife down. Do one side, then twist the cob and cut down the next side. Rinse, repeat. When done, dice the onions and carrots and mince the garlic.
Brown the bacon over medium-low heat to render out most of the fat. When crispy, scoop out the bacon with a slotted spoon, put it on a plate, and try not to eat it. Dump the onions, carrots and garlic into the bacon fat, and cook until the vegetables start sweating and the onions become slightly clear, usually around 10 minutes. Peel and dice the potato while you wait. When the onion mix is ready, add in the chicken stock. If you’re using stock in a large tetrapak, it’s the whole box you want to use – 32 fluid ounces. Bring the stock to a boil, then add in the corn and the diced potatoes as well as some salt and freshly ground pepper.
Boil then simmer this until the potatoes are tender, but not falling apart, about another 10 minutes. In the last few minutes of the simmering period, throw in the fresh chopped thyme. When the potatoes are cooked through, pour in the half & half, and make sure the mixture doesn’t boil – keep it at a gentle simmer until slightly thickened.
You can finish the chowder 2 ways: super-chunky, or puree it into something slightly smoother. If you like chunks, just serve the soup as-is. If you want to go the smoother route, use a blender (or stick blender) to puree a portion of the chowder, then add it back into the main section. You can either add whatever’s left of the bacon into the soup itself, or use it to top individual bowls. The chopped fresh tomatoes can also be used to keep the chowder even lighter.
Megan Myers is an aspiring 
I’m sure Mr. and Mrs. Washington would have served in their heyday a nice roasted chicken, maybe some homemade chicken soup and of course, a Cherry Pie for dessert. I’m pretty sure Charred Peach Salad or Crab Asparagus Ravioli was not on the menu. Lucky for us, at George & Martha’s American Grille in Morristown all the bases are covered. This restaurant offers traditional items (sometimes with a twist) while also presenting visitors with innovative and new dishes to try.
Appetizers started off with a Country Chicken Vegetable Soup ($6) that was simply delicious with it’s homemade chicken stock and in-house prepared spinach dumplings. A crispy Baby Iceberg Wedge ($7) salad was next and, although pretty basic, it shined with the addition of a pickled onion topping. Although we both enjoyed the Iceberg salad, the Charred Peach ($11) salad was our “greens” winner. The browned peaches that were oh-so sweet complimented the bitter arugula bed perfectly. Fried sweet potatoes covered the salad and became a clever mimic to croutons.
Some attendees around us were already talking about the Crispy Crab Cake ($10) that followed our salads and right away I knew why. The panko-crusted pan-seared patty was full of tender lump crab that was seasoned slightly enough to let the flavor flair. The meat fell right apart when forked which did make eating them a bit difficult. However, with the accompanying corn jalapeno salad, each forkful was quickly recovered and devoured. Last, but certainly not least, was the Fresh Spinach Artichoke Dip ($7). If I could have jarred this and taken some for later that night or the next day I would have! Note that Chef Michel uses fresh, not frozen, spinach here while emulsifying it in a fontina, parmigiano and roasted garlic béchamel sauce. And if that alone wasn’t enough to make you grab a spoon, he serves it along side crispy homemade potato chips that were salted and fried to glistening greatness. What a way to end the starters line up.
For our first sampling of dinner entrees, we were given George’s Grilled 14 oz. Pork Chop ($21). Although the meat was a touch too tough for me, I did enjoy the spinach risotto that was served with. It showed kitchen skill in that it was both al dente and creamy. Another spark here was the roasted peaches placed beside the chop for they sweetened and lightened up such a hearty dish. The 8 oz Hanger Steak ($18) soon came out and this was cooked much more to my liking. The grilled tomato gratin and mashed potatoes that surrounded the meat were good enough to stand alone yet truly accentuated the beef. A moist Roasted Goffle Farms Chicken ($13) was the next entrée for us to try. The summer succotash of white beans, tomatoes and fresh herbs, was a thoughtful partner for the protein as it was dressed just enough to let the chicken take the leading role. The next entrée was my favorite of the night: Crab Asparagus Ravioli ($19). The pasta rounds came doused in a roasted corn and leek cream sauce that I couldn’t get enough of. It was almost pure silk in texture and coated each ravioli beautifully so. I found it difficult to find the crab in the ravioli but enjoyed the asparagus filling immensely. The final dish for us to taste was the Pan Roasted Barnegat Sound Scallops ($23). Underneath the seafood was a tart and crunchy apple celery salad that was tossed in olive oil. It was clean and bright in both flavor and appearance but most importantly provided a stage for the scallop to star. And boy was it the star; plump, juicy and seared to impress.
The general public can support the FoodBank’s efforts and receive 10% off tickets to three areas of the festival: Grand Market, Define Cheese Steak, & Sweet & Stylish. The discount code is: CFBNJ. Chefs and students from the Community FoodBank’s Food Service Training Academy will play active roles in the Define Cheese Steak, & Sweet & Stylish events during the festival. Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City is proud to present the fourth annual festival, which will feature a collection of the world’s most renowned chefs, icons, TV personalities and experts. Included are Anne Burrell, Tom Colicchio, Robert Irvine, Aaron Sanchez, Buddy Valastro, Andrew Zimmern and Paula Deen.
