Success on the Orient Express, 2010 Taste Dinner delivers over $54,000 to local food banks

May 25, 2010 - PRLog -- Event Co Chairs, Dan Taylor from the Anderson Agency and Chef Ian Smith of Ocean County Vocational School are pleased to announce the success of the 2010 Taste of Southern Ocean Hunger Relief dinner. The event raised awareness of local hunger relief efforts along with over $54,000 by bringing together local restaurants, chefs and businesses to present an extraordinary evening to a sold out crowd on April 27 at Sea Oaks Country Club.

The evening began with talented performers of Our Gang Players singing renditions of popular songs in the cocktail reception area which was transformed into a London Train Station. Upon entering the main ball room over 180 guests were greeted by conductors, and a silent auction loaded with gift baskets, certificates and one of a kind items representing local businesses and artists. The highlight of the evening was the multi course dinner prepared by chefs representing local restaurants who donated their time and talent to help support the seven local food banks in the region which include the Barnegat Food Pantry, Lacey Food Bank, Ocean Community Church Food Ministry, St Francis Food Pantry, Ken's Kitchen of St Mary's Church, St Stephen's Episcopal Church Food Pantry and the Tuckerton Area Inter-Church Food pantry.

The 2010 Taste Committee would like thank everyone whose commitment helped make this a banner year especially the featured chefs John Limanni of Alchemy Catering, Allen Menegus of Buckalew's, J. Geoffrey Johnson of Cooper Fish, JB Maschal of Country Kettle, Joe Manfre and Scott Coppa of Grapevine, Dave Syminak of Pinziminio, Lou Smith and Mike Creevy of Sea Oaks, Chuck Ostergren and Rich Reuel of Viking Fresh Off the Hook, Paul Dimm of Scojo's, Gary Lesniak and Ian Smith of Ocean County Vocational School, and Liz Reichard of 217 East Main. Special Acknowledgement to this year's generous sponsors including G Anderson and Anderson Insurance Agency, New York Life, Group Insurance Solutions, Jersey Shore Magazines, Berry, Sahradnik, Kotzas & Benson, Sysco, and Press Communications. A note of thanks to all businessesand residents who donated silent and live auction and to Our Gang Players and Sound Master DJ for the evening's entertainment.

For more information on the Taste Dinner and the upcoming 2011 event, contact the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, 265 West Ninth Street in Ship Bottom, go to visitLBIregion.com or call 609 494 7211.

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