THE BIG DADDY OF CULINARY CLASSICS
It is time for you to make plans to go to the 13th Annual Culinary Classic at
the Mill in Spring Lake. This is the Big Daddy of Culinary Classics that was
started in 1992 by the Foodbank of Monmouth County as a fund raiser and set the
stage for dozens of similar events held throughout the year. From its first
performance in May of 1992 the Foodbank’s Culinary Classic has set bar higher
then any other event of its kind that I know of.
We started with Joe Amiel and a board of directors of Restaurateurs that
chose 37 area restaurants, wineries and dessert shops to participate. It was a
juried decision on who was asked so that only the top restaurants revered for
their culinary expertise were chosen. Meetings were held to go over the menus so
there would be little or no repetition in dish presentations. From the first
year on the event has been one of the “hottest tickets in town” as it was
described by the Asbury Park Press in its first year and has been the same ever
since.
Many restaurants have remained for the entire 13 years. Many new ones have
been added over time creating a familiar but ever changing list of menus as us
older guys evolve and get better. This also sets the stage as the new young
“lions” to work on gaining a reputation with industry.
As long as we are taking about staging the Old Mill which has been
transformed and renamed “The Mill in Spring Lake.” Under the direction of Tamar
Tolchin and Anthony Ciriillo renovations were started in January 1st of 2003 and
finished in April 2003. The transformation is breathtaking. Custom woodwork,
sliding glass walls, atriums and custom furniture has made The Mill is perhaps
one of the most beautiful facilities in the state. If you combine the romance of
The Mill along with 37 restaurants competing to be the best that they can be
this is an evening you do not want to miss.
The date of the event this year is Monday, May 17th starting at 5 PM at the
Mill in Spring Lake. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Food Bank of Monmouth
County at 732 918 2600. Ask for Ellen Koment or Jo Nagel
