Enjoy dishes from some of New Jersey’s top chefs, extensive wine pairings, and sunset views of the Hudson River and New York skyline at The tasting this autumn.
About the tasting
The tasting is an annual fundraiser hosted by Battello in Jersey City for Eva’s village. The event consists of 20 renowned chefs, each with their own tasting station, preparing mouth-watering meals accompanied by wine, beer, cocktail and non-alcoholic pairings. Participants will have the freedom to roam the tasting stations at their leisure throughout the night. Taking place Sept. 12 from 6-10 p.m. at Battello on the Hudson River waterfront, the tasting will be one of New Jersey’s premier events.
Photo courtesy of Eva’s Village
In addition to featuring top-notch cuisine, the event passes all proceeds to Eva’s Village, a Paterson, NJ-based charity dedicated to providing independence and stability to those suffering from homelessness, addiction, mental illness and other barriers. The organization serves more than 500,000 meals a year and provides free services to those in need, including education, childcare, health care and more.
“I love being able to help Eva’s and I love what Eva’s does for the community,” said Robbie Felice, event chair and owner/chef of several critically acclaimed New Jersey restaurants. “By people coming to this event, not only are they helping Eva, but they’re seeing a really cool event with some of the best chefs in New Jersey cooking the best food.”
who will be there
With 20 chefs in attendance, guests will be tasted and dined beyond belief. But, perhaps the most exciting aspect of the evening, aside from the food, is the presence of celebrity chef Angelo Sosa.
Chief Sosa is a three times Top Chef All-Star, cookbook author and television personality. In addition to Bravo’s “Top Chef,” Sosa starred in HBO Max’s “Selena + Chef.” After founding two restaurants, Anejo in New York and Tequila in Encinitas, California, Chef Sosa settled into the role of team leader at Tia Carmen, the luxury restaurant at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. .
Sosa will be on hand to socialize and greet guests as they enter Battello to sample the delicacies of fellow chefs. In fact, some of the state’s most promising chefs will be on hand to cook their famous specialties.
Chef Ryan DePersio
Ryan DePersio is one of the chefs at The Tasting as well as the executive chef/owner of Fascino in Montclair. Since its beginnings in New Jersey nearly 20 years ago, DePersio has made a splash on the New Jersey dining scene. He is a decorated chef with recognitions and nominations as “Outstanding Chef” from the Inaugural Garden State Culinary Art Awards and “Best Mid Atlantic Chef” by the James Beard Foundation.
The New York Times praised him as an “excellent chef” who was “born to run a restaurant”. He worked at the famous Bouley Bakery and Judson Grill in New York, where he was transferred to Paris to deepen his culinary gift. Upon his return to the United States, he worked under the wing of master chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, a four-star chef and owner. Before he knew it, he was called back to Europe to work at the two-star Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence, Italy.
His notoriety has earned him appearances on NBC’s Today Show, the Food Network and more. To say New Jersey is honored by its presence is an understatement as it brings a breath of fresh, cultured air to the food landscape. DePersio often refers to his cuisine as “Italian without borders”.
Chief Robbie Felice
Besides being one of the presidents of this event, Felice is the chef and restaurateur of Viaggio, Osteria Crescendo and pastaRAMEN. Her father owning several restaurants, it is believed that Felice could cook before she could walk. He put in grueling hours of work at the much-loved Babbo in New York and the B&B Ristorante in Las Vegas. Rising through the ranks to Sous Chef, Felice began leading the Salumi program in numerous B&B locations.
He left America to travel the world and work in Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, including Sergio Herman’s 2-star Michelin Pure C in the Netherlands and 2-star Michelin The Jane in Belgium. At the prodigious age of 26, he opened his first restaurant, Viaggio, in Wayne, New Jersey. With his culinary skills acquired around the world, he quickly became a New Jersey legend, earning spots on NJ Monthly’s “Talent on the Rise,” The Record’s “17 People to Watch in 2017” and critics three. and a half stars from The Folder and the Star-Ledger.
Along with her social media presence, Felice’s acclaim has only grown, and New Jersey is more than lucky to have her.
Other attendees
Other Notable Chefs Who Made New Jersey Digest’s editor’s choice list include Ehren Ryan of Common Lot, Leia Gaccione of South + Pine American Eatery and Olivier Muller, Executive Chef/Le Faubourg Partner. It’s safe to say that this event is a collection of some of New Jersey’s top chefs.
Ticket information
As mentioned, all proceeds go to Eva’s Village and benefit those who suffer from homelessness, addictions, and other barriers that prevent them from achieving stability and independence. General admission, which includes entry to the tasting tables and drinks, is $350 per person.
If you decide to bring your whole family or group of friends, there are party packages that also include raffle tickets. VIP reception tickets, which include early entry for a photo encounter with Angelo Sosa in addition to general admission benefits, are $450 per person. Tickets can be purchased here.
“Food always brings people together,” Felice commented, “Food makes the world go round, so for this event to be able to bring people together to help Eva’s Village – to cook for a lot of different people – I think that’s what which makes this event super special.”
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