The Monmouth County Library will honor one of the nation’s foremost chefs, New Jersey’s own Dennis Foy, in a special program on Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan.
According to a press release, Foy is aptly known as a founding father of American Cuisine, and has been at the forefront of the farm-to-table culinary movement since the early 1970s.
He has shared his experience with a chain of young chefs — resulting in three generations of great New Jersey chefs and a host of restaurants directly related to Foy’s inspired vision, according to the press release.
The Oct. 24 program is free and open to the public, but seating will be limited to 350 people.
In 1974, Foy opened a ground-breaking restaurant, The Tarragon Tree, in Chatham, that set a new standard for dining in New Jersey by using local farmers for fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Foy went on to other critically acclaimed restaurants, notably Toto’s in Summit, Mondrian in New York City, Bay Point Prime in Bay Head, and Dennis Foy’s in Point Pleasant. He currently pursues his culinary vision at his new restaurant, Dennis Foy, in Lawrenceville.
Foy has also pursued a painting career that has spanned 35 years, and is currently completing his studies in social work at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Four prominent area chefs will join the library’s celebration with a tasting of some of their signature dishes in honor of Foy. They are:
• Chef Terry Eleftheriou, of The Shipwreck Grille in Brielle and the new Shipwreck Point in Point Pleasant Beach.
• Chef Marilyn Schlossbach, of Langosta Lounge and Trinity and the Pope in Asbury Park.
• Chef Michael Metzner, formerly of Nicholas in Middletown Township and Dennis Foy in Lawrenceville.
• Chef Mark Mikolajczyk, of The Black Trumpet in Spring Lake.
This program will also feature Bill Boggs, a four-time Emmy Award-winning TV host and current correspondent for the syndicated “My Generation” TV show.
Restaurateur Joe Amiel, former owner of the Old Mill Inn and Evelyn’s Seafood Restaurant, is producing the event and will also be the master of ceremonies.
For more information about the program, call the Monmouth County Library at 732-431-7220.