Mercy Center is hosting its first-ever “Chefs’ Feast,” a culinary showcase featuring restaurants from the Jersey Shore vying for the title of “Top Chef” to raise support for its fast-growing food pantry in Asbury Park.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will help Mercy Center nourish the growing number of vulnerable families in the Asbury Park area and surrounding communities who turn to the food pantry to help feed their children.
The event will take place on Thursday, Feb. 29, from 6-9 p.m., at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel at 1401 Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park.
Guests will enjoy sampling signature dishes created by chefs from six restaurants and will cast votes for their favorite. The top vote-getter will be named “Top Chef.”
The participating chefs and restaurants are:
- Chef David Morales, Frungillo Hospitality Group, Asbury Park
- Chef Mike Tsarnas, Gabriella’s Italian Steakhouse, Middletown
- Chef Ryan Bush, La Mondina, Brielle
- Chef Ulises Nova, Metropolitan Cafe, Freehold
- Chef Rob DiBlasi, The Robinson Ale House, Asbury Park
- Chef Lisa Baker, White Chapel Projects, Long Branch
The evening will kick off with a cocktail hour featuring passed hors d’oeuvres from Frungillo Hospitality Group and a Tuscan display of meats and cheese from Buona Sera, a restaurant in Red Bank, followed by the entrée tastings. The food event will conclude with a variety of desserts from Buona Sera, Frungillo Hospitality Group, Lola’s European Café, Asbury Park; Nothing Bundt Cakes, Shrewsbury; and River Street Sweets, Asbury Park.
Tickets to the benefit are $250 and include an open bar and live music. A special ticket price of $150 is available to young professionals ages 21-35. The event will also include live and silent auctions and the drawing for a 50/50 cash raffle.
Tickets and sponsorships, ranging from $1,000 to $15,000, are available to purchase online at mercycenternj.org. For more information, call 908-378-8502 or email at info@mercycenternj.org.
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