Joe Romanowski’s Legacy Lives On

“Recipe for Success” Features Shore’s Best Restaurants

One of the best nights of the year is quickly approaching, as the 3^rd annual JOCEF “Recipe for Success” gala will be held at 6:30pm on Monday, March 14, 2016 at the Navesink Country Club in Middletown. The Joe Romanowski Culinary Education Foundation was established in the memory of chef Joseph Romanowski who mentored and nurtured many of the Jersey Shore’s finest up-and coming chefs.

“I have supported the JOCEF event since day one as a tribute to Joe and his contributions to the Jersey Shore’s amazing culinary scene,” said Steve Bidgood, co-owner of Salt Creek Grille and New Jersey’s Restaurateur of the Year 2015. “Joe lived the restaurant business. He was a role model and a mentor to many through his passion for the restaurant business.”

Many of the best chefs at the Jersey Shore such as Drew Araneo of Drew’s Bayshore Bistro in Keyport and Chris Atamanian of Porcini in Highlands credit Romanowski for being a mentor during and after the time they worked with Romanowski at his highly acclaimed restaurants, Joe and Maggie’s Bistro in Long Branch and Bay Ave Trattoria in Highlands.

“I will always be thankful for the opportunities and knowledge that Joe passed onto me through my eight years of working for him. I respected Joe because he was the most talented chef I ever worked with in my career,” said Atamanian.    ”Joe taught me that being a chef is like being an artist. His advice is the creative force behind many of my dishes at my restaurant. I want the legacy of Joe Romanowski to live on and that’s why I am happy to participate in the JOCEF Recipe for Success!”

Funds raised at the event are awarded as scholarships to students at the Culinary Education Center, the collaboration between Brookdale Community College and the Monmouth County Vocational School District. In the first two years, JOCEF awarded more than $40,000 in scholarships.

“I am so honored to continue the legacy of my very talented friend, Chef Joe Romanowski. It’s so fulfilling to know that his passion for the culinary arts will continue in his name to those young and talented students who share his fervor for cooking. JOCEF is a great organization that works hard in continuing that legacy, I’m very thankful for their hard work in accomplishing that goal.” said Big Joe Henry, NJ 101.5 radio host and emcee for the Recipe for Success.

Tickets are available now at www.culinaryjoe.org.

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Participating Restaurants and Partners

Ama Ristorante, Sea Bright www.amaristorante.com
Beach Tavern, Monmouth Beach www.beachtavern.net
The Bistro at Red Bank  www.thebistroatredbank.com
B2 Bistro + Bar, Red Bank www.b2bistro.com
Brennan’s, Rumson www.brennansinc.com
Culinary Education Center at Brookdale Community College
Danny’s Steakhouse, Red Bank www.dannyssteakhouse.com
D’jeet?, Shrewsbury www.djeetcatering.com
Drew’s Bayshore Bistro, Keyport www.bayshorebistro.com
Front St. Trattoria, Red Bank www.frontsttrattoria.com
Lusty Lobster, Highlands www.bestlobster.com
The Mill, Spring Lake Heights www.themillnj.com
Mumfords Culinary Center, Tinton Falls www.mumfords.com
Piccola Italia, Ocean Township www.piccolaitalianj.com
Porcini, Highlands www.restaurantporcini.com
Raven & The Peach, Fair Haven www.ravenandthepeach.net
Salt Creek Grille, Rumson www.saltcreekgrillerumson.com
Sickles Market, Little Silver www.sicklesmarket.com
Teak, Red Bank, www.teakrestaurant.com
Trama’s Trattoria, Long Branch www.tramastrattoria.com
Tuzzio’s, Long Branch, www.tuzzios.com
The Vintage Cake, Red Bank www.thevintagecake.com
Ye Olde Pie Shoppe, Little Silver www.yeoldepieshoppe.com
Yumi, Sea Bright www.yumirestaurant.com
Zoe Bistro, Little Silver www.zoebistro.com
2^nd Flr. Restaurant, Long Branch www.2ndflrrestaurant.com

Wine, Beer and Spirits by:

Folio Fine Wine Partners, J Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Ketel One Vodka, Opici Wine Company, Shore Point Distributing Company & VDKA 6100 Vodka

Featured Auction items include:

Courtesy of Salt Creek Grille
Dinner for 8
$400 voucher for cocktails with limo service

Courtesy of Tiger’s Tale, Princeton and Lusty Lobster, Highlands
The Cooler of Deliciousness

Courtesy of Contemporary Motor Cars, Little Silver
Mercedes-Benz children’s pedal car

Vacation stays in Captiva, FL and Cape May, NJ

Courtesy of JOCEF
Wagon of Cheer- Radio Flyer wagon filled with premium liquor