Time to Give Back (FoodBank Culinary Classic)

A few months ago I was invited with some other food bloggers to The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties for a tour of their facilities, and to talk about promoting their biggest event of the year: the 22nd Annual Culinary Classic. It's taking place on September 23, and if you're a local, please keep reading - this is a culinary extravaganza + amazing fundraiser you won't want to miss!  This year’s event raising funds that will help provide emergency food and services to over 127,500 people in our local communities.

We talk about food so much around here that it's hard to imagine how some families are struggling to put meals on the table. When I toured the FoodBank I was shocked to learn how many children in our counties are hungry, and saddened to know how many families need help. I also learned that The FoodBank not only supplies food to donation centers all throughout the two counties, but also offers culinary training programs to provide education for people in need of better paying jobs, a kids cafe and backpack program to ensure kids have food to take home after school and on the weekends, and other advocacy and outreach programs. It truly is an amazing organization and I was so inspired by how much they do and how passionate the program directors are about this cause.

The number of families in need of assistance is growing every year, especially with the devastation of Hurricane Sandy last year, so The FoodBank is constantly trying to keep up to make sure that no one goes hungry. Fundraisers like the Culinary Classic are thus SO important to make sure that every child has a full belly when they go to bed at night.

So...if you love food (I'm guessing yes if you read this blog) and want to help make a difference for hardworking families and kids who need our help, please join me in coming to the FoodBank's Culinary Classic. Not only will you be serving a great cause, but you'll get to enjoy amazing artisan foods and craft beer and wine from New Jersey. Let's do our part to make sure no one goes hungry in OC!

Here are all the deets:

The 22nd Annual Culinary Classic

Where: The Mill at Spring Lake Heights

When: Monday, September 23 from 5-9 pm

Tickets: Get your tickets here!

What You'll Eat:

Over 40 of the Jersey Shore’s culinary legends will present an epicurean’s delight of food, wine, drinks and desserts. This year’s Culinary Classic has an exciting new twist with each restaurant providing drink pairings for their menu. A sample of restaurants include:

Porta

Melting Pot

Taste

Chef Mike's ABG (my favorite!)

Yvonne's Café

Brandl

Chocolate Carousel

Danny's Grill & Wine Bar

Dearborn Market

Doolan's Shore Club

Fratello's

Joe Leone's Catering

Molly Pitcher Inn

Pearl Oyster Point Hotel

Piccola Italia

Sweet Tease

The Mill at Spring Lake Heights

Kitchens Catering

Good Karma Café

There will also be some pretty cool entertainment. Brian Kirk & the Jirks will be playing, and celebrity Chef David Burke will be around as well.

For more info, check out the Culinary Classic Facebook Page. I am so looking forward to this event, and hope you'll grab some friends, buy a ticket and come support our community!