Spring Lake tasting event to raise funds for families fighting pediatric cancer
Mark your calendars for Monday, May 20, when more than a dozen chefs from New York and New Jersey will gather in Spring Lake for an event to benefit children battling cancer.
The second annual Ashley Lauren Foundation's Chefs Who Care, a tasting event, will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Essex and Sussex. The evening will feature wine, spirits, live entertainment and an auction — and raise funds for the foundation, a Brielle-based nonprofit organization that helps families fighting pediatric cancer.
“I founded this organization in 2005 based on my own experience when my daughter, Ashley Lauren, was diagnosed with cancer (when she was 3),” CEO Monica Vermeulen shared in a news release. “We help with direct financial assistance (household bills, traveling expenses, funeral expenses, etc.), material assistance (food, clothing, household items), emotional support, two major parties for children and their families, advocacy, (the) “Making Dreams Come True” program, Birthday Brigade (each child is celebrated on their birthday), outings and anything else that is needed to make their lives easier and bring smiles to their faces."
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As of press time, participating chefs include Jessica Bucceri of JB Couture Cupcakes in Neptune City, Joseph Sergentakis of Boschetto in Montclair and Allendale Social in Allendale, Joe Tartamella of Felina in Ridgewood, Jesse Jones of Chef Jesse Concepts in New Jersey, Bryan Giron of Perquin by Santelli’s Hospitality, Stephan Yen of Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, Angelo Competiello of Alta Irpinia in New York, Fabrizio Facchini of Facchini Food Services in New York, Cesare Casella of Casella’s in New York, and Roberto Caporuscio of Kesté Pizza e Vino in New York.
The event also will honor John Dalton of Holmdel-based IT Initiatives as this year's Humanitarian Award Recipient.
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Tickets cost $195 per person and can be purchased at ashleylaurenfoundation.org. A VIP package, which includes early admission, a chef meet and greet, and gift bags, costs $250.
For more information, call 732-414-1625.
Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to sgriesemer@gannettnj.com, follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Chefs Who Care event to raise funds for Ashley Lauren Foundation
