Hundreds of supporters recently flocked to Perona Farms to support Project Self-Sufficiency at the 29^th anniversary of northwestern New Jersey’s premier culinary fundraising event, A Taste of Talent.  Patrons mingled with chefs from approximately 50 celebrated area restaurants, vintners, and breweries and enjoyed their signature beverages, appetizers, entrees, and desserts.  The epicurean event raises funds for the non-profit agency which specializes in services for low-income families in the New Jersey counties of Sussex, Morris, Hunterdon, and Warren.  Numerous volunteer musicians were on hand to perform during the event at various locations throughout the expansive facility.

“A Taste of Talent directly benefits our neighbors in need, and is the cornerstone to our annual campaign,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We are exceptionally grateful for the time, talent and resources provided by the Avondoglio family, and the many chefs and the musicians who have contributed to this event over the years.  Once again, this community has demonstrated their steadfast support of our programs for low-income individuals and families.”

Participating restaurants included Alias Brew Works; Andre's Lakeside Dining; Angry Erik Brewing; Black Forest Inn; Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse; Cafe Pierrot; Chesapeake Tavern; The Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe; The Circle; Cliff's Homemade Ice Cream; The Copper Kettle; Crossed Keys Estate; Crossed Keys Inn; Curd & Cleaver; Czig Meister Brewing; Emily's Hearth; The Farmer's Daughter; Four Sisters Winery; Fratelli Bakery; Fromage, LLC; Gourmet Gallery; Hayek's Market; Hugo De Luca's Italian Deli & Catering; Hunter's Lodge; Jersey Artisan Company; Jersey Girl Brewing; Jersey Rollz; Krave Caterers; Krogh's Restaurant & Brew Pub; La Vita Italian Specialties Deli & Catering; Mama's Cafe Baci; Man Skirt Brewing; Millside Cafe; Ninety Acres at Natirar; North Shore House; O'Reilly's Pub & Grill; Passionate Chef; Pattycakes; Perona Farms; Rock Island Lake Club; Roasted Breadfruit Smokehouse & Grill; St. Moritz Grill & Bar; South Sparta Cuisine; Springhouse Creamery; Sussex County Community College Culinary Institute; Willow & Sage Catering; Windy Brow Farms; and Windsor House Tea Room & Bakery.

Kate and Rich Hashway, Krave Caterers, served as Culinary Chairpersons of this year’s event. Krave has participated in A Taste of Talent since the business was launched 20 years ago. “Our commitment to Project Self-Sufficiency is personal,” commented Kate.  “We love Project Self-Sufficiency, what they do for the community, and the people they are. They give so much of themselves. They’re true philanthropists and A Taste of Talent is a beautiful way to bring the community together.”

“We love to be a part of what Project Self-Sufficiency brings to the community,” added Rich Hashway. “It’s a great organization and we will always keep coming back to A Taste of Talent in honor of Bev Gordon. “

Project Self-Sufficiency Board of Directors member Rhoda Seider and her husband, Norman, served as the Honorary Chairpersons of the 2025 A Taste of Talent.  “The programs that Project Self-Sufficiency offers are so important to the community and we are very proud to be a part of the agency’s untiring efforts and successes in making our world a better place,” observed Rhoda Seider.

Financial support for A Taste of Talent was offered at a variety of levels. Silver Circle support was received from Blake and Cathy Ellman; Kathy and Lou Esposito; Francesca Fazzolari; Dolores and Jim Fernandez; Bruce Gordon; James Alexander Corporation; Peter R. and Cynthia K. Kellogg Foundation; David and Margaret Inkeles Charitable Foundation; Vincent Signorile and Hilary Kruce; Brian and Leigh Lytwynec; John and Breanne Marchioni; Susan and Greg Murphy; The Honorable Lorraine and Dr. Tim Parker; JP Perry – Henry O. Baker Insurance; Rhoda and Norman Seider; Selective Insurance; and Thorlabs, Inc.

Support at the Chairman’s Table level was provided by Lennar®. The President’s Club members included Franklin Mutual Insurance Company and Clifford Pysher, Gallant Hope Farm. Partner-level support was received from First Hope Bank; George’s Salvage Co., Inc.; Sheryl and Rich Hoer; Alissa and Joel Isaacson; The Printing Center & The Perella Family; John L. and Grace Soldoveri Foundation; and the Stocker Bus Company Inc.

Anniversary Celebrants included Christian and Nina Canzoniero; Deacon Family Foundation; Julie Killen; Ron-Dee and Brian Lockwood—The Lockwood Family; Harold and Lois Pellow; Ronetco Supermarkets, Inc.; and Techflex, Inc.

Patrons of the event included Alberto & Cho Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Group,  LLC; Celine Allen; Atlantic Health System, Newton Medical Center; Lana and Jim Ayers; Catherine Bawa; Biondo Investment Advisors, LLC; Larry and Mary Anne Condit; William and Laura Cowan; Mark and Karen Cummins; Mary Dicarlo; Paris and Virginia Eliades; Matthew Hannum - Sterling Financial Group; Jennifer and Ed Kelly; Daniel and Carol Kent; Mandelbaum Barrett, PC; Gail and Richard Miner; Chuck and Lora Musilli; Northern Rain Irrigation, LLC; Diane and Basil O’Connor; John and Peggy Post; Raymond James; Mike Stieglitz - Cami Financial Group; Smith-McCracken & Wood Funeral Homes; Trend Landscaping; Tumbleweeds Creative Studio; The Ventricelli Family; Wallkill Group, Inc.; and Your Part-Time Controller, LLC.

Supporters at the Sponsor level included Jeanne Apryasz; Robert and Roberta Barnes; Anna Marie and Howard Bateman; Norman and Agnes Beatty; Ellie Benz and Rich Kelsky; Biondo Investment Advisors, LLC; Marie Brewer and Daniel Bauer; Robert and Michelle Butynes; J Caldwell & Associates - Community Planning Consultants; Frank and Mary Canistra; Sussex County Commissioner Chris Carney; Sally and Andy Chernati; Brian and Beth Chrobock; Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream; Joe and Sandy Coltelli; Marion and Bill Curcio; William Den Herder— NMJ Properties; Fran and Tom Diffley; Doreen Digiacomo; Mike and Mary Dolan; Farious Net Solutions; Farmside Landscape & Design; Patricia L. Felth; Freedom Business Machines, Inc.; Michael and Jane Germano; Ron and Virginia Graves; HQW Architects; Meg Guiseppi and André Palko; Nancy Jacobus; Patrick and Moira Kenah; KG Builders, LLC; Ken Kolkebeck and Merry Mans; William and Dawn Kuipers; Eligio and Elsa Materan— Materan Construction; Eileen McCarthy Born, Esq.; Mary and Bob McGauley; George M. Miller III; Peg Mullins and Beth Batastini; New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association; the Neary Family; the Nicholson Family; Nisivoccia LLP; O’Donnel Law Firm; Carl A. Ohlson and Melissa Bogert; Barbara O’Neill and Gene Bronson; Mona Pettenger; Planet Networks; James and Linda Porter; Power With Prestige Inc.; Provident Bank; Dawn and Jeffrey Schwartz; Dave and Elizabeth Silverthorne; Robert Soldoveri – Whispering Pines Enterprises; Stephanie and Glenn Sumpman; Ted Tafaro; Transcom Logistics; Dr. Richard Vaz; Richard and Faith Vohden; Carey Weiss and Kevin Healy; and Frederick and Renee Zierold.

Music was provided by a variety of individuals and groups, including the Colofonia Ensemble; Deb D’Anne; New Sussex Symphony; Meant to Be; the Pro Tempos; the Skylands Dulcimer String Band; students from the Sparta High School Chamber Club; and the Sussex Brass Quintet.