Community Supports Project Self-Sufficiency at A Taste of Talent

Hundreds of patrons poured through the doors of Perona Farms on Monday night to help support Project Self-Sufficiency at the 16^th annual A Taste of Talent, a fundraising event which offered guests the opportunity to sample hors d’oeuvres, entrees and desserts from area restaurants while mingling with the chefs.  Patrons were also invited to bid on the tabletop creations of several local designers.  Thirty restaurants participated in the event, along with representatives from nine design firms.  Proceeds from the event benefited Project Self-Sufficiency’s programs for low-income families in Sussex, Morris and Warren counties. 

Alex Cable served as honorary chairperson of this year’s A Taste of Talent.  “Due to the current economic situation, many families – now more than ever – are turning to Project Self-Sufficiency for assistance, “noted Alex.  “Through this fundraising event, we who support Project Self Sufficiency are privileged to assist the many low-income single parents, teen parents, two-parent families, and displaced homemakers within our community who are struggling to gain financial independence.”

Participating restaurants included Perona Farms, Alice’s, Andre’s Restaurant & Wine Boutique, Bar Louis, Black Forest Inn, Bobolink Dairy, Café Pierrot, Caffe NaVona, Chatterbox, Cheddar Alley, Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream, The Delmonico Room, The Dining Room, Everything Homemade, Fossil Farms, George’s Wine & Gourmet Gallery, Homestead Rest, Innova Cuisine, Jimmy’s Italian Tavern, Krave Café & Caterers, Patisserie Fauchere, Restaurant Latour, Salt Gastro Pub,  Salt Studio, Tanti Baci Caffe, Thai Nam Phet, Threefold Café, Transatlantic Foods, and the Trinity Restaurant & Lounge.  Guests were also invited to stroll through the cavernous kitchen at Perona Farms and witness a cooking demonstration by Molecular Gastronomist George Mandakas III.

Beverly Gordon, President of Project Self-Sufficiency’s Board of Directors, commented, “An event of this magnitude would not be possible without the dedication of the restaurateurs and chefs in our community.  We are indebted to them for their enthusiastic participation and for their creativity.”

The entryway at Perona Farms was transformed into a showcase featuring the wares of local designers, including Patricia Bruterri, Sweet P.E.A.’s; Alicia Shearer, Alicia Shearer Interior Design; Melissa Mauro-Duffy, Fine Design; Tracy Gibbins, Tracy Gibbins Interior Design; Holly George, Holly George Interior Design; Patsy B. Johnson, A Matter of Style; Jacky Murphy, Victory Frame Shop; Michelle Michaluk, Designs on the Side; and Linda Moran, Serendipity Designs.

“A Taste of Talent directly benefits our Sussex County neighbors in need, and is the cornerstone to our annual campaign,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We are exceptionally grateful for the time, talent and resources provided by the chefs and the designers who have contributed to this event, and to the entire community for their support of our programs for low-income families.”

Supporters of the event donated funds at several levels, ranging from individual tickets priced at $200 to contributions of $25,000 or more.  In commemoration of the agency’s 25^th anniversary, additional giving levels were added.  Silver Circle Members included Beverly and Bruce Gordon; Intercar Mercedes Benz; Susan and Gregory Murphy; Selective Insurance Company of America; Sussex Honda; and Thorlabs, Inc.

Supporters at the Chairman’s Table level included Kathy and Lou Esposito as well as Francesca Fazzolari, James Alexander Corporation.

The President’s Club was comprised of Rhoda and Norma Seider, as well as A Friend of Project Self-Sufficiency.

Partners included Jay and Judy Dunn; George’s Salvage Company; Susan and Gregory Murphy; The McNamara Family, Safety Scaffolds; The Printing Center; RoNetco Supermarkets, Inc.; Dr. Salvatore Sciascia; and Ruth and Don Williams.

Anniversary Celebrants included Joanne Friedman, Gallant Hope Farm; Henry O. Baker Insurance; Ellen and Arnold Lieber; and Louis J. Weber and Associates, Inc.

Supporters at the Patron level included Carol Campbell and Dale Thatcher; Current Adventure; Barry Douglas, Mountain Spring Irrigation; Virginia and Paris Eliades; Linda and Rhea Fountain; Frances Gould Naftal and Marvin Naftal, Flatbrook Farm; Margery and David Inkeles, M.D.; James Moore Construction; Susan and Roy Knutsen; Lakeland Bank; Teddyann and Brian Lenker; Net Access Corporation; Anonymous; Nisivoccia, LLP – Certified Public Accountants and Advisors; Lois and Harold Pellow; Leslie and Greg Plifka; Smith-McCracken and Wood Funeral Homes; Jody and John Ursin; Friends of Project Self-Sufficiency; Dr. Richard Vaz; and Whispering Pines Enterprises.

Sponsors included Dr. Pamela Alberto and Greg Wroclawski; The Anthony Group; Lana and Jim Ayers;
Agnes and Norman Beatty; Dolores Blackburn and Kenneth Roberts; Marjorie Bresler; Caristia, Kulsar & Wade, LLC; Phyllis Carstens; Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream; Mary Anne and Larry Condit; Delade Brothers Electric, Inc.; Louis and Mary Fahsbender; East Coast Alternative Energy, LLC; Eastern Propane and the Nicholson Family; Franklin Mutual Insurance; Freedom Business Machines; Michael Harris; Dr. Hope Hartman Holub; Hautau & Sons, LLC; Hoffmann Construction, Inc.; Linda and Bruce Jorritsma; KG Solar & Renewable Energy; Hilary A. Kruce and Vincent Signorile; Robert Levy; Jeffrey A. Lowcher, CPA; Linda and George Miller; Dr. Gerald and Mrs. Suzanne Mirkov; Michelle and George Morville, Morville LLC; Lora and Chuck Musilli; Northern Rain Irrigation; Denise and Jeffrey Panicucci; Susan and Sovann Stark; Cheryl and Kenneth Syberg; Tarzian Hardware; and Stephen Wescott, Sterling Financial Group .

Music was provided by a variety of individuals and groups, including the Meant to be Jazz Ensemble, Glenn Merritt, Joe Guerra, Alan Hayes and Pete Omelio; The Sussex Trio, Bill Hoff, Carol Kraemer, and Kathy O’Brien; and students Katie and Andrew Van Varick and Emma Kline.

Project Self-Sufficiency is a private non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey.  The agency’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of holistic, respectful, and comprehensive services enabling low-income single parents, teen parents, two-parent families, and displaced homemakers to improve their lives and the lives of their children while achieving personal and economic self-sufficiency and family stability.  Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 19,500 families, including over 30,000 children.  To find out how to make a contribution to Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.