A delicious recipe of equal parts culinary skill and musical talent will come to a delicious simmer when The Point and Tony Marts hosts Mardi Gras in July this coming Monday.
The July 10 event will include a gumbo cook-off showcasing some the area’s best chefs competing for a $1,000 prize, plus a celebration of live music.
The party gets started Friday night with trumpet player James Andrews.
About to embark on an international tour to support his new recordings with little brother, “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, the “Satchmo of the Ghetto,” James Andrews will arrive in Somers Point to celebrate Mardi Gras in July with a spectacular beach concert on Friday, July 7, at the No. 1 Outdoor Concert Series in America, the AtlantiCare Concert Series on the Beach in Somers Point.
Joining James will be world class New Orleans pianist Joe Krown with his hot new record “TRIBUTE,” which debuted on the Top 10 of both the roots music and blues charts. Krown will perform with The Tony Mart AllStars in “tribute” to Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Professor Longhair, and James Booker.
On Monday, July 10, The Point, in Somers Point and Tony Marts will present an extraordinary afternoon and evening festival to celebrate New Orleans music in the magical legacy of Somers Point’s musical history.
Jersey Gumbo will be a family party with balloons and beads for everyone, as well as some of the best gumbo chefs in South Jersey competing for a $1,000 prize, awarded by a celebrity panel of judges and everyone who joins the tasting.
The judges include Chef Demetrius Haronis from Tropicana, Bob Fertsch, publisher Shore Local; Dr. Ken Jagger; Somers Point’s Queen of Diner Politics, Pat Pierson; and “Uptown” Jim Tuohy.
Chefs include some of the finest chefs and restaurants in South Jersey including Chef Robert Levenson from Resorts, Chef Philip Gormley and Sous Chef Ruben from Smithville Inn, Chef David Goldstein from the South Jersey Chef’s Association, “Chef Nico” Karamanis from Galloway Casual Dining, judges from Gregory’s Restaurant, PJ Buckets, and Chef Christina Martin.
Go to www.tonymart.com for fun details about the Gumbo Cook-off and the free Mardi Gras concert from 3 to 11 p.m. at The Point Tiki Bar, 998 Bay Ave. The four concerts are free. Mardi Gras parade and second line, beads and parking are free. Wristbands for gumbo tasting are $15.
Sponsorship and VIP reservations for private cabana areas are available for tax-deductible donations to Tony Mart Cares. The organization is dedicated to helping area musicians in South Jersey and the region. Sponsorship packages are still available.
Sponsors include Circle Liquor, Somers Point Historical Society, Dr Ken Jagger, former state Sen. Nick Asselta, Charlie Faulkenstein, and many more friends.
This promises to be the cool party of the season at The Point with four concerts and some of the best chefs in the region making gumbo for all to sample. Everyone who samples can vote for the $1,000 prize winner, who will be crowned Mardi Gras King Chef at 7 p.m.
Mardi Gras in July Schedule
3 p.m. Gumbo tasting through 6 p.m.
3 p.m. Billy Walton and the BMW’s
4:30 p.m. Joe Krown “TRIBUTE” To Dr. John, Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint, James Booker with The Tony Mart AllStars, Howard Issacson, Bob Fertsch, “Old School” Jimmy Glenn, and Andy Lasasis
6:15 p.m. final tasting, vote tabulation and Awards Ceremony
7 p.m. James Andrews and Joe Krown with Tony Mart AllStars
8:15 p.m. Second Line Mardi Gras Parade
8:40 p.m. Ocean Avenue Stompers with the Tony Mart AllStars Jam
Meet the Chefs
Executive Chef of Resorts Casino Hotel, Robert Levenson may reveal some of his secrets in an interview with Carmen Marotta on “The Tony Marts Presents” radio show noon Saturday on 1450 AM, WPG. But he may want to keep it a secret until you taste. Resorts is also a defending champion of past gumbo cook-offs.
The leader of the South Jersey Chefs Association, David Goldstein, will be featuring Smithfield smoked sausage in his gumbo.
Gregory’s Restaurant, known for its excellent gumbo during Mardi Gras and Cajun celebrations, will use the traditional andouille sausage of Louisiana along with a thick, rich chicken broth and roux.
Known for their chowders and seafood boils, PJ Buckets will no doubt feature seafood in their gumbo.
Chef Nico Karamanis has been experimenting with several different concoctions, utilizing the skills that he learned as a Culinary Institute of America graduate. He has transformed the Galloway Diner into the excellent Galloway Casual Dining Restaurant.
Extremely well respected and excellent Chef Philip Gormley and his Sous Chef Ruben have a great deal to defend because it was Smithville’s prior Chef Chris who won the prize at the last Gumbo Cook-off by making and serving his own homemade sausage with his gumbo!
Everyone is wondering what the sole female chef competitor, Chef Christina Martin, will be presenting at the cook-off. She is very well respected having been recommended by top chefs in Atlantic City for the competition.
With all these great contestants, one thing is certain: this will be an excellent and enjoyable afternoon of sampling gumbo and listening to traditional and funky New Orleans music at the beautiful tropical nightclub and tiki bar The Point in Somers Point.
Meet the Judges
Demetrius Haronis, the chairman of the Judges Panel is one of Atlantic City’s preeminent executive chefs.
Robert Fertsch, publisher of the culturally important informative magazine, Shore Local.
Dr. Ken Jagger, dentist and ‘man about town’ is often described as “The Daily Dental.”
Pat Pierson is the former owner operator of the legendary Bayshores II Restaurant on the bay in Somers Point and still reigning “Queen of Diner Politics.”
“Uptown” Jim Tuohy “go to guy” on Absecon Island and part time resident of Magazine Street in Uptown New Orleans.
Your host for the evening is Eddie Bonsigniore, the swarthy, energetic and tireless owner operator of The Point Tiki Bar and nightclubs in Somers Point and Sea Isle City.
This is what summertime at the Jersey Shore is all about!
