'A Taste of Talent' offers food, funds for Project Self-Sufficiency

ANDOVER — Hundreds of patrons poured through the doors of Perona Farms on Monday night to help support Project Self-Sufficiency at the 17th annual A Taste of Talent, a fundraising event which offered guests the opportunity to sample hors d’oeuvres, entrees and desserts from area restaurants while mingling with the chefs.

Patrons were also invited to bid on the tabletop creations of several local designers. More than 25 restaurants participated in the event, along with representatives from six design firms. Proceeds from the event benefited Project Self-Sufficiency’s programs for low-income families in Sussex, Morris, Warren, and Hunterdon counties.

Hopatcong Mayor Sylvia Petillo and her husband Ron served as honorary co-chairpersons of this year’s A Taste of Talent.

“This annual fundraiser benefits Project Self-Sufficiency and enables them to continue to reach out to families in need," noted Sylvia. "Over the years, Project Self-Sufficiency has been an oasis of hope throughout Sussex County giving families the strategies and confidence they need to rebuild, to strengthen and to change their lives forever.”

Participating restaurants included Perona Farms, A Chocolate Lab, Andre’s Restaurant & Wine Boutique, Café Pierrot, The Chatterbox, The Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe, Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream, De Beragga & Spitler, Forno Italiano, Fossil Farms, George’s Wine & Gourmet Gallery, Homestead Rest, Innova Cuisine, Krave Café & Caterers, Main Street Grille, Mosefund Farm, Park West Tavern, Pig & Prince, Pizza Bistro, Ristorante Il Porto, Riviera Maya, Salt Gastro Pub, Salt Studio, Springhouse Dairy, Tanti Baci Caffe, and Transatlantic Foods. Guests were also able to witness a cooking demonstration by Perona Farms Executive Chef Kirk Avondoglio.

The entryway at Perona Farms was transformed into a showcase featuring the wares of local designers, including Patricia Bruterri, Sweet P.E.A.’s; Holly George, Holly George Interior Design; Melissa Mauro-Duffy, Fine Design; Jacky Murphy, Victory Frame Shop; Ellyn Norwillo, AMA Designs; and Alicia Shearer, Alicia Shearer Interior Design. Patrons bid on table designs which featured place settings for eight, art objects, and decorative items associated with the movies "Alice in Wonderland," "Casablanca," "Lincoln," "The Artist" and "Moonstruck."

— Photos by George LeRoy Hunter