A NAVESINK COUNTRY CLUB GALA TO HELP MAKE THE CHEFS OF TOMORROW

PHOTOS BY MARY WEIR & JOHN RIVERO

The JOCEF Recipe for Success Gala was held at the Navesink Country Club in Middletown, to benefit the Joe Romanowski Culinary Education Foundation—established in memory of Joseph Romanowski, who mentored and nurtured many of Jersey Shore’s finest upcoming chefs. (Joseph and his wife Maggie Lubcke owned and operated Joe and Maggie’s Bistro in Long Branch and Bay Avenue Trattoria in the Highlands.)

Funds raised are awarded as scholarships to students at the Culinary Education Center in Asbury Park. The Education Center is a collaboration between Brookdale Community College and Monmouth County Vocational School District, and has awarded $100,000 in scholarships since the nonprofit was formed in 2014.

The sold-out event featured tastings from over 25 of the Jersey Shore’s best restaurants. Samples of wine, beer, and spirits were complemented by an oyster bar and the opportunity to taste rare wines.