People enjoy fine food and fine drink for fine cause.
By: Jillian Kalonick
A sampling of creations by the region’s finest chefs can merely whet the appetite for more fine cuisine, as guests discovered at the 12th annual Taste of the Nation benefit, held Monday at the Doral Forrestal Hotel & Spa in Plainsboro.
New this year was a silent auction, in which Jim Weaver, Tre Piani chef and Share Our Strength East Region chef of the year, upped his offering of a six-course wine dinner for 8 at Tre Piani to two seven-course meals, thereby allowing two bidders to benefit for twice the profits. And Mr. Weaver will be working with the winners to create a custom menu.
Silent auction items also gave participants a chance to continue feasting. Guests bid on certificates for 5757 Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York, Opus 251 in Philadelphia and Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, as well as area restaurants.
Guests had the opportunity to sample cuisine from Italian and French to Indian and Ethiopian. Several also took advantage of the outdoor tables at the Doral and the warm evening to take their cassoulet and crème brulée outside, which chef Wayne Hoekstra of Doral’s Gratella took as a good sign for the hotel’s plan to offer outdoor dining.
"This was the most fun event at the property the crowd was really good, more relaxed, and there weren’t as many line-ups," said Mr. Hoekstra.
"Overall the flavors were better chefs highlighted flavor to a higher degree, as opposed to presentation. Fresh food was definitely emphasized. The best thing this year was that a lot of the combinations worked well, as far as garnishes and sauces. Frog legs (by Les Copains’ Scott Anderson) were a really brave thing I’m glad someone did that."
Mr. Hoekstra’s offerings included duck with truffled petit cassoulet, lamb marinated in chipotle onions, scallops cerviche, and mini spumoni baked Alaska, served during the live auction.
Other chefs enjoyed the opportunity to sample each other’s offerings. The event gives them an opportunity to socialize, as well to see what’s cooking in other kitchens.
"It was fantastic this year, a smoother operation, definitely enjoyable," said Rusty Scupper chef Sheldon Dingle, who served New Orleans seafood gumbo as well as tollhouse pie with caramel and chocolate sauce. "It’s a lot of work but a lot of fun. I tried the Marsala Grill’s lamb, which was fantastic."
"You get to see a lot of chefs I know a lot of them have worked together, it’s cool to see them together shooting the breeze. It’s a great time and a great cause." More than 30 vendors served up samples, including Princeton regulars Lahière’s, The Ferry House, Alchemist & Barrister and Mediterra. Newcomer Sophie’s Bistro of Somerset served crepe pockets tied with chive ribbons and cassoulet, and McCaffrey’s demonstrated its gourmet expertise with a selection of crabcakes.
Wineries Alba Vineyard in Finesville and R.H. Phillips of California provided libations, and national vendors such as Ciao Bella Gelato and Rogue Ales of Oregon extended the event beyond local fare.
Princeton’s Taste of the Nation was co-chaired by Diane and Emil Efthimides. Taste of the Nation events, which are being held across the country, benefit the fight against hunger. Seventy percent of the estimated $60,000 raised at this year’s Princeton Taste of the Nation will be donated to HomeFront; Isles, Inc., Mercer Street Friends Food Cooperative and the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, all of which are frontline nonprofit social service agencies in Mercer County. The remaining 30 percent of the proceeds will benefit the fight against hunger nationwide and worldwide.
For more information on Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation, visit www.tasteofthenation.org.

