Chefs Night for Elijah's Promise Culinary School

So, I had the best time last night. I haven't been so happy in this profession in a while. Not because I don't love what I do, but this was a chance to give back. It was enjoyable, fun and I made a lot of connections and met some wonderful people. Chefs Night at The Palace in Somerset, NJ is surely THE event to attend each summer. Around $130 a ticket, all proceeds go to Promise Culinary, part of Elijah's Soup Kitchen in New Brunswick, NJ.
I volunteered to help with the restaurant Via 45 in Red Bank, NJ. I got to help plate watermelon salad with feta and red onions, quinoa and arugula salad with blueberries and grilled shark and monkfish with capers and sundried tomatoes. The crowd was ongoing and it was a steady pace throughout the night. I worked with a student, Jim, in his 30's who is at the Promise Culinary school in New Brunswick. He absolutely LOVES it and told me about his past passion for mechanics. It was so nice to see his talent and relate to his career path.
I also walked around and met some chefs of New Brunswick restaurants. The Frog and The Peach, Clydz, Tula, Harvest Moon, George Street Ale House and Sophie's Bistro to name only a few. The food was incredible, I had kangaroo meatballs from Clydz! Sounds strange, but they weren't dry or gamey at all. There were alot of sliders out too, pulled pork, rabit, chipotle sauces, fennel salads etc etc. I can go on forever.
The great part was, there were some CIA alumni there as well and we connected since I wore my alumna jacket (it did get messy from cutting brownies unfortunately. Yes my friends CHOCOALTE CARAMEL SEA SALT BROWNIES= amazing).

<----Love the Paella Pan!

Overall, a GREAT night. I encourage you ALL to at least look into volunteering or attending in the future. It's for a great cause and I'd love to teach at this culinary school someday. These are the events that I realize I absolutely love this industry. Next time I hear "So, you sure you really want to be a Chef for the rest of your life" I will not hesitate and scream YES for crying out loud, I am POSITIVE. Let's see what they have to say to that! Ha!