By Scott Cronick
Lots to catch up on with some great stuff happening in the area. Hopefully this tidbit column will catch you up on what you should make plans for in the near future, while also paying homage to a lost member of the culinary scene.
Pro Chefs celebrate 50 years
More than a dozen years ago, The Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey led by David Goldstein asked me to host their Presidents Charity Scholarship Bowl.
I was flattered. And I have hosted that event since then more than I haven’t. So, after a hiatus for COVID-19, I am so happy that the big event is back … and it’s going to be one for the ages.
This year is particularly special as the chapter celebrates the 50th anniversary of the event, which started a few years after the chapter’s formation.
Stepping up to the plate for the over-the-top gala is Renault Winery. Helmed by Corporate Director of Culinary Joseph Laporte, the Sunday, Feb. 25, black-tie party with feature a 90-minute, eye-popping cocktail hour with open bar that is worth the $165 admission itself, followed by a four-course dinner paired with Renault wines and music by the Dane Anthony Band.
“The association means a lot to me,” said LaPorte, a former chef of the year who received that award nearly 30 years ago as executive chef at Tropicana in Atlantic City. “It has been a big part of my life and my career. When you are coming up as a sous chef, you are honored to be invited to this. It’s always been the big event of the year for chefs and everyone in the industry.”
The beauty of this event is that while there will be the who’s-who of the South Jersey culinary world, it is open to the public.
The lavish cocktail hour will feature multiple themed stations with international foods and flavors along with amazing cocktails. The dinner will include everything from seafood to steak, salad and more.
“Everything is a secret,” LaPorte said. “But I guarantee it’s going to be an awesome night. Past events have been themed in certain ways, so we are going to really focus on paying attention and honoring that 50-year milestone.”
Guests will be able to witness first-hand what Renault owners Josh and Melanie McCallan have done to the property, including the food and beverage program that has dramatically improved under LaPorte and his team.
“Our passion at Renault is making the wine and bringing people to a beautiful property,” LaPorte said. “When Josh and his wife bought this about five years ago, they put a lot of passion and a ton of money into it, and it has developed into an incredible place. It’s not just a venue, it’s a destination. It takes a lot of passion to be a top resort runner.”
Guests will also be treated to an unbelievable dessert display, and Goldstein and the association will present awards to chefs including Chef of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Pastry Chef and Community Service.
Of course, guests can also help the association raise money to perform charitable works in the area, including feeding more than a million meals to those in need.
“Everyone can expect and unbelievable evening,” said Goldstein, the president of the chapter. “And they are supporting a great organization with a rich history. We give out culinary scholarships, always have money for chefs in need, pay for our chapter meetings with educational presentations, certifications, community services, and we have fed 450 veterans at the Vineland Veterans Memorial Nursing Home for 12 years, while assisting the Community Food Bank and Let Us Eat Please for the Captain’s Table.”
LaPorte said he and Renault are happy to get the chapter scholarship balls restarted, especially for its golden anniversary.
“Everyone looks forward to it,” LaPorte said. “The day after every chefs ball, everyone looks forward to next year … who’s going to do it and how they can top the last one. It’s a show, it’s a party!”
(The Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey’s 50th Annual Presidents Scholarship Ball is 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, at Renault Winery, 72 Bremen Ave., Egg Harbor City. For tickets, call 609-432-2744 or go to ACFPCASJ.com.com)
Schulson coming to Ocean Casino
My friend and amazing restaurateur Michael Schulson has officially made the move across town to Ocean Casino Resort.
Schulson and his company Schulson Creative have teamed with Ocean for a partnership to bring two fine-casual concepts to Ocean’s culinary roster in the current Harper’s space in the casino’s lobby.
Opening later this year, Pearl & Mary Oyster Bar and Samuel’s at Ocean will be located on the lobby level across from The Park.
“Having opened my first restaurant in Atlantic City more than 15 years ago, it’s apropos to be returning to the shore to work with Ocean, starting with these two incredible projects,” said Michael Schulson. “The team at this property is first class, and I look forward to opening additional concepts with them in the future.”
Pearl & Mary will present a stunning oyster bar offering bespoke dishes inspired by classic coastal favorites, including an assorted raw bar, mixed crudos, and refreshing cocktails. Pearl & Mary at Ocean will be the second iteration of the oyster bar, with the first location in Mid Town Village, Philadelphia.
Samuel’s is more than just a modern take on an all-day diner experience. It is a nod to Michael’s grandparents who immigrated to the Bronx and opened a kosher butcher shop, effectively serving as the celebrity chef’s first culinary influence. Samuel’s American-Jewish inspired menu will include fresh-baked breads and pastries, scrumptious salads and signature sandwiches.
Schulson is one of Philadelphia’s most successful hospitality professionals and is the owner of Double Knot, DK Sushi, Independence Beer Garden, Sampan, Graffiti Bar, Harp & Crown, Giuseppe & Sons, Alpen Rose, Via Locusta, Prunella, Pearl & Mary and his newest concept, Bar Lesieur.
“We are thrilled to welcome Pearl & Mary and Samuel’s into Ocean’s portfolio of dining venues as we venture into a long-term partnership with Michael Schulson,” said Ocean General Manager Bill Callahan.
Both Pearl & Mary and Samuel’s at Ocean are expected to open before Summer 2024 in the current Harper’s and Sky Café spaces. Harper’s award-winning brunch options will move to the Makai space, which will close, near Starbucks.
Since Schulson is one of my favorite chefs, my wife and I will be there with bells on when he returns officially this summer. Hopefully you will, too!
Go to the OceanAC.com for more details.
Savor Borgata event at Borgata’s B Prime
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa continues its amazing culinary tradition of Savor Borgata events later this month with an awesome whiskey-infused luncheon that is certainly worth checking out.
Water Into Whiskey will take place 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at its acclaimed B Prime Steakhouse. The exclusive event with limited seating is designed to celebrate Manhattan Week with B Prime’s exclusive single barrel bottling Angel’s Envy Bourbon.
Led by B Prime’s talented food and beverage team, including Chef Howard Stilianessis, guests will explore the science behind exceptional bourbon in this unique, hands-on proofing seminar that is followed by an extraordinary lunch that will be paired with Angel’s Envy whiskies.
Courses include: American wagyu beef carpaccio with Burgundy truffle oil, shaved horseradish, arugula and extra virgin olive oil; Surf-N-Turf featuring pan-seared dayboat scallops with charred rib cap and root vegetable medley and simple mashed potato with veal reduction and Bearnaise sauce; and Milk & Cookies, Angels Envy Bourbon vanilla milkshake with peanut butter pecan cookies.
The $99 price tag also includes each guest leaving with a personal-sized bourbon to recreate the experience at home, so it’s a super value.
(Water Into Whiskey will take place 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa’s B Prime Steakhouse. Tickets are $99 and can be purchased at TheBorgata.com.)
Napoleon Dynamite Live at Ocean
It’s like a movie dream coming true.
One of my all-time favorite movies, “Napoleon Dynamite,” will come to Ocean Casino Resort for a full screening, three of its main actors and a whole lot of nonsense 8 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at Ovation Hall.
The goofy, hilarious, independent flick will celebrate its 20th anniversary with “Napoleon Dynamite Live,” which will feature the flick and a lively, freewheeling discussion with cast members Jon Heder (Napoleon), Jon Gries (Uncle Rico) and Efren Ramirez (Pedro), who created three unforgettable characters that shaped cinema.
The night will feature a Q&A, comedy improv and more.
So, if you wanna know if chickens have large talons, learn more about LaFawnduh, want a dang quesadilla, find out if Tina the fat lard was easy to get to come to dinner and if you want to get a girlfriend with your nunchuck, bow-hunting and computer hacking skills, check out “Napoleon Dynamite Live” at Ocean Casino Resort.
I know I will be there, will you?
(“Napoleon Dynamite Live” happens 8 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at Ocean Casino Resort’s Ovation Hall. Tickets start at an affordable $29 at TheOceanAC.com.)
Naomi’s Café owner passes
Another one has gone way too young.
Melinda Schriver, the former owner of Naomi’s Café, a former breakfast and lunch spot off Tilton Road in Northfield, passed from health complications earlier this week.
I knew Melinda very well and worked with her extensively when she first opened Naomi’s with little to no restaurant experience. I was introduced to her by longtime friend Coby Frier, who asked me to help a friend get started in the business with her new place. I was more than happy to do so.
A former Borgata Babe, Schriver opened Naomi’s – named after her daughter – and learned quickly how tough the business was. But she persevered, went through numerous chefs and menu changes and grew the business to the point where she had to expand to the adjacent space next door for an additional dining room.
The food was always good, but it was Schriver’s personality that kept customers like me engaged. She was one of the first in the area to start a truly over-the-top gourmet coffee menu, and she actually started the restaurant to spend more time with her children, which is why she closed after lunch.
She did everything she could to succeed. She did our very first Wing Wars event with Atlantic City Weekly, she would come on the radio regularly with me, and I would write about her restaurant as often as I could. I hope I lived up to my word that I would do what I could to help Naomi’s succeed.
Naomi’s was a family affair, a place where her friends and family worked, including her father running errands when the place first opened. It was a special spot.
But, Schriver had to overcome a lot of personal issues and grief, including the closing of the restaurant and the death of her son in a car crash. Melinda – or Mel as friends called her – just never seemed the same after that. How could she be?
Some didn’t know this, but Schriver could actually cook. Her Southern fried chicken and mac and cheese were incredible, as were some other things she would occasionally invite me in to sample.
Here’s to Mel, who will be missed by all who knew her!
Scott Cronick is an award-winning journalist who has written about entertainment, food, news and more in South Jersey for nearly three decades. He hosts a daily radio show – “Off The Press with Scott Cronick” – 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on Newstalk WOND 1400-AM, 92.3-FM, and WONDRadio.com, and he also co-owns Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City, while working on various projects, including charitable efforts, throughout the area. He can be reached at scronick@comcast.net.
