Hundreds of patrons poured through the doors of Perona Farms on Monday night to help support Project Self-Sufficiency at the 17th 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. More than twenty-five restaurants participated in the event, along with representatives from six design firms. Proceeds from the event benefited Project Self-Sufficiency’s programs for low-income families in Sussex, Morris, Warren, and Hunterdon counties.
Hopatcong Mayor Sylvia Petillo and her husband Ron served as honorary co-chairpersons of this year’s A Taste of Talent. “A Taste of Talent 2013 is an extraordinary event where you can gather with friends to enjoy the culinary talents of more than 25 well-known chefs from across the tri-state area,” noted Sylvia. “This annual fundraiser benefits Project Self-Sufficiency and enables them to continue to reach out to families in need. Over the years, Project Self-Sufficiency has been an oasis of hope throughout Sussex County giving families the strategies and confidence they need to rebuild, to strengthen and to change their lives forever.”
Participating restaurants included Perona Farms, A Chocolate Lab, Andre’s Restaurant & Wine Boutique, Café Pierrot, The Chatterbox, The Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe, Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream, De Beragga & Spitler, Forno Italiano, Fossil Farms, George’s Wine & Gourmet Gallery, Homestead Rest, Innova Cuisine, Krave Café & Caterers, Main Street Grille, Mosefund Farm, Park West Tavern, Pig & Prince, Pizza Bistro, Ristorante Il Porto, Riviera Maya, Salt Gastro Pub, Salt Studio, Springhouse Dairy, Tanti Baci Caffe, and Transatlantic Foods. Guests were also invited to stroll through the cavernous kitchen at Perona Farms and witness a cooking demonstration by Perona Farms Executive Chef Kirk Avondoglio.
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; Holly George, Holly George Interior Design; Melissa Mauro-Duffy, Fine Design; Jacky Murphy, Victory Frame Shop; Ellyn Norwillo, AMA Designs; and Alicia Shearer, Alicia Shearer Interior Design. Patrons bid on table designs which featured place settings for eight, art objects, and decorative items associated with the movies Alice in Wonderland, Casablanca, Lincoln, The Artist, and Moonstruck.
“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. Silver Circle Members included Beverly and Bruce Gordon; Intercar Mercedes Benz; Susan and Gregory Murphy; Selective Insurance Company of America; and Sussex Honda.
Supporters at the Chairman’s Table level included Francesca Fazzolari, James Alexander Corporation; and Rhoda and Norman Seider.
The President’s Club was comprised of Kathy and Lou Esposito, as well as A Friend of Project Self-Sufficiency.
Partners included Jay and Judy Dunn; George’s Salvage Company; The McNamara Family, Safety Scaffolds; The Printing Center; RoNetco Supermarkets, Inc.; Dr. Salvatore Sciascia; and Don Williams.
Anniversary Celebrants included Ellen and Arnold Lieber; Sylvia and Ronald Petillo, Petillo Enterprises; 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; Joanne Friedman, Gallant Hope Farm; Frances Gould Naftal and Marvin Naftal, Flatbrook Farm; Margery and David Inkeles, M.D.; James Moore Construction; Keystone Plastics; Patricia and John Kennedy; Susan and Roy Knutsen; Lakeland Bank; Barbara and Stephen Limauro; Dr. Gerald and Mrs. Suzanne Mirkov; Lora and Charles Musilli; 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; Friends of Project Self-Sufficiency; Stephen Westcott, Sterling Financial Group; Dr. Richard Vaz; Whispering Pines Enterprises.
Sponsors included Dr. Pamela Alberto and Greg Wroclawski; The Anthony Group; Jeanne Apryasz; Lana and Jim Ayers; Dolores Blackburn and Kenneth Roberts; Marjorie Bresler; Caristia Kulsar & Wade, LLC; Joseph Celentano; Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream; Mary Anne and Larry Condit; Deacon Homes, Inc.; Delade Brothers Electric, Inc.; Wayne Dietz; D&H Alternative Risk Solutions; Eastern Propane and the Nicholson Family; Jonathan Eigner, Northern Rain Irrigation; Franklin Mutual Insurance Company; Anonymous; Hautau & Sons, LLC; Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Huber; Linda and Bruce Jorritsma; Hilary A. Kruce and Vincent Signorile; Dr. Jeffrey Liegner and Jana Norquest, Eye Care Northwest; Robert Levy; RonDee and Brian Lockwood; Elsie Lorber; Linda and George Miller; Gail and Richard Miner; The Morville Agency; A Division of Bollinger Insurance; Barbara O’Neill and Gene Bronson; Denise and Jeffrey Panicucci; Gail and Robert Phoebus, Farmstead Golf & Country Club; Susan and Sovann Stark; Sparta Hardware Store; St. Clare’s Health System; Cheryl and Kenneth Syberg; In Memory of Harry Tarzian; John and Jody Ursin; Sheila and Peter Ventricelli; William Cowan, Willco.
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; Carol and Gary Kraemer; and students Katie and Andrew Van Varick.
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.
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