More than 300 participants attended “Taste of the Holidays” at Old Orchard Manor in Eatontown on Nov. 1, and sampled delicacies from 20 local restaurants. Four underwriters supported the event: Jersey Central Power & Light, Commerce Bank, Rumson Fair Haven Bank and Trust, and Wachovia Bank.
“Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts is extremely indebted to all the restaurants that donated their delicious dishes and courteous staff to our ‘Taste of the Holidays’ event,” said Sue McClure, chief executive officer of Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts. “We received so many compliments about the quality of this year’s offerings, and we thank the restaurants for demonstrating their support of local Girl Scouting.”
The local restaurants that participated in Taste of the Holidays included: Avanti Italian Restaurant, Oceanport; A.V. Imports, Carlstadt; Bacchus School of Wine, Toms River; Branches Catering, West Long Branch; Bella Vista Ristorante Italiano, Point Pleasant, Creative Caterers, Ocean; Culinary Education Center, Asbury Park; Ferrara’s, Point Pleasant; Grieco’s Bakeshoppe, Ocean; It’s Greek to Me, Holmdel; Java Moon Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury; Morgan’s Food & Spirits, Tinton Falls; Oakland House Restaurant, Red Bank; Old Orchard Manor, Eatontown; Piccola Italia Restaurant, Ocean; Ragin‚ Cajun, Belmar; Shore Catering, Brick; Suzi’s Sweet Shoppe, Middletown; and Tortugas, Belmar.
The evening included a friendly competition among the restaurants. Best Food Presentation went to the Culinary Education Center of Asbury Park. Best Holiday Theme and Guests’ Favorite went to Piccola Italia Restaurant of Ocean.
Highlights of the event included a gift auction with entertainment by Laurie Ehlermeyer. In addition, Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts‚ 2005 Women of Distinction were introduced. They are; Veronica Buffaloe, executive director and founder of ASTEP, After School Educational Tutorial Program; Susan Doctorian, associate vice president of university relations, Monmouth University; Sister Carol Henry, executive director, Mercy Center; Nancy Mazza, senior vice president, Sovereign Bank; and Kate Mellina, councilwoman, City of Asbury Park.
The Women of Distinction dinner will take place March 10 at Deal Country Club. Tickets for the dinner are $150 each. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, call Nancy Cummons, (732) 938-5454, ext. 37.
Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts serves more than 12,200 girls throughout Monmouth and northern Ocean counties.