Chef’s Night Out: More Than Just The Food

By Stephanie Faughnan

LACEY – Saucy Asian delights, shucked oysters, and specialty desserts were just a few of the options that Ocean County Vo Tech (“OCVTS”) students dished out at the 26th Annual International Chef’s Night held for their benefit.

The annual fundraiser held at the Lacey Elks earlier this month brought in over $70,000 this year that will be used towards student scholarships and grants for OCVTS instructional equipment and technology.

“I want to thank everyone responsible for making this an unforgettable event for our district,” said Annie Sayers, OCVTS Transition Specialist. “Our Chef’s Night Out team outdid themselves.”

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Food: Continued From Page 1

According to Sayers, dreams will become a reality for many students needing scholarships to attend OCVTS. She called the collective group of guests, volunteers, sponsors, and vendors “Dream-makers,” saying their support humbled her. Meanwhile, it’s not just the food that made for another delectable Chef’s Night. Also on the menu was community engagement, local business support, and student collaboration.

A gift auction featured over $37,000 in cash and prizes contributed by restaurants, businesses, staff members, and community supporters. Among the donated offerings was a bat signed by local sports icon Todd Frazier, golf passes, beach badges, lottery boards, Devils tickets, and more. In addition, the mega 50/50 raffle resulted in $5,500 being turned over to the winning ticket holder.

Those enrolled in the culinary arts program weren’t the only ones to showcase a bit of their talents at the sold-out event. Students in OCVTS’ woodworking and construction trades classes crafted some of the most popular items contributed to the gift auction. Winners of the custom-made Adirondack chair, wine cases, and a cornhole set, all walked out with big smiles.

The $60 entry fee consisted of unlimited taste tests for not just student-created fare but also for the 24 restaurants and bakeries that offered samplings of various flavors. No doubt the event had something appealing for every foodie’s palate.

OCVTS cosmetology program participants were among the 35 students who helped out in person to make the Chef’s Night run smoothly. Their manners and professionalism were on point as they lent a hand in serving food and bussing tables.

Many of the 325 guests who purchased advance tickets likely showed up as food connoisseurs and relished the thought of treating their taste buds to assorted cuisine. Some of the restauranters present at the event may have even gained some new patronage as a result.

Others, such as Diane Ambrosio, a Waretown resident, came with additional intentions.

“Both my sons attended the vo-tech,” shared Ambrosio. “I’m also here to show my support for the school.”

Food and desserts were served on separate floors, with guests just as eager to taste the fare from those already “in the business” and culinary arts students applying newly acquired skills.

An oyster station manned by post-secondary students included a fantastic presentation. The young men and women shucked through the shells with incredible ease.

Meanwhile, Nina Caprio of Bayville and Payton Kline of Whiting partnered to create a flavorful topping for the raw oysters. Both young ladies are 18 and graduated high school last year.

“We’re making an Asian fusion mignonette,” explained Caprio. “We’ve also included some radish microgreens, and we’re cold smoking them.”

–Photos by Stephanie Faughnan (Above) OCVTS culinary students were the star of the show. (Right) The crowd of people had a lot of options to choose from.

As he made the rounds among the students, OCVTS instructor Chef Gary Lesniak stopped by the tables staffed by some of the graduating high school seniors. The menu there was collectively referred to as Asian street food.

Alyssa Pietropaolo, 18, of Jackson, stirred through a chicken dish with an enticing aroma permeating the air. She said she loves her classes and is excited that she’ll next move on to her dream (Food - See Page 6)

Central:

Continued From Page 1 procedures. The New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA) will also review HIB and other procedures.

• A new school safety specialist has been appointed, and expanded duties are under review for the High School’s disciplinary dean.

• Staff will be trained and the number of anti-bullying specialists will be brought up to four.

• An assembly will be held with Dr. Michael “Mykee” Fowlin, a psychologist, performer, and poet, whose message builds a culture of inclusiveness. This was funded and supported by Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s office.

• An assembly will be held with Dan Duddy, a motivational speaker focused on bullying, social media, and responsible choices.

• Ocean County College will run Mindfulness and Stress Management workshops for students.

• Central grad Megan McCafferty, bestselling author, will host a Therapeutic Writing Workshop.

• Several student organizations, such as the Kindness Crusaders, have also been reactivated, focused on peer-to-peer promotion of positive relationships and behaviors.

Corbett acknowledged the recommendations from many groups for improvements in the school district.

“More ideas and recommendations arrive every day. Regardless of whether an initiative is old or new, we are focused intently on engaging with our school families and many others, and implementing an improved, comprehensive approach to our student services, just as we do with our academic programming,” Corbett said in a statement. “With the help of many students, parents and guardians, our faculty and staff, outside experts and the broader community, I believe we are making progress.”

Community Response

At the Board of Education meeting immediately following the tragedy, the high school auditorium was packed. Reporters were there from national and international news sources.

At the second meeting following the tragedy, there were maybe two dozen members of the public and only the two local news reporters. Part of this might have been the snowy weather or the fact that the date of the meeting had been changed.

“It’s pitiful to see the turnout,” said Cheryl Altieri, who attends almost every Central meeting. “If you only have a vested interest when we’re in crisis mode, shame on us.”

Resident John Galifi of Bayville thanked Corbett and the administration for listening to the Parent Committee. However, he said there has been a disconnect in the past that he was afraid would continue. If staff weren’t following policies and procedures in the past, then creating new policies and procedures is only part of the solution.

He also suggested that any time a staff member has to talk to a student about something not related to education, that a parent should be brought into the loop before this happens.

Kathy Fulcomer, a retired social studies teacher from another district whose husband Jim used to be a Berkeley Township School Board member, complimented the board on their conduct during the “raucous” prior meeting. She said that punishment for bullies has to be swift, severe, and sudden in order to drive the message home.

A recent grad thought it was great that the district put the names and titles of resources online for people if they need help. However, their titles don’t really explain what they can do. She asked for descriptions of what services they provide.

Megan Chase, a 2018 grad from Bayville, shared a story about when she talked back to a bully and got suspended. She and her father brought her right back to school to Corbett, who was the principal at the time.

“Through teary eyes, Corbett did hear me out and reversed my suspension,” she said, adding that fighting for rights and representing herself in this situation inspired her to go to law school. She said

See Page 19 that news of the incidents that people are sharing indicates that the victims are still getting punished for coming forward.

Parent Joeshun Miller relayed a story of her daughter being disciplined because she spoke out about something negative that was making the rounds on social media. She said it was a slippery slope to start monitoring teens’ social media.

Members of the public said that cell phones should be banned, but others said they should be allowed.

Several people at the meeting noted that teaching kids not to be bullies needs to happen at home as well as at school.

Board President Denise Pavone-Wilson invited some of the members of the public to talk with them after the meeting

Town:

Continued From Page 1 ones that were used for osprey nests. It’s been vandalized, and there’s been 8-10 feet of water in the basement since Superstorm Sandy, Mayor Carmen Amato said.

He referred to it as an “attractive nuisance,” a term officials use when describing a location where people are likely to go just to cause trouble and do something illegal. Also, it is dangerous and people could get hurt going there.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife bought the surrounding area but the federal government didn’t want the building, township planner James Oris said. It belongs to Berkeley. The town worked with the state to figure out how to use the site.

If the township wins a grant, the money would be spent to investigate what can be done with the building, Oris said.

In the past, it was mainly used for commercial shipping, but it also provided wartime support. It broadcasted the “Voice of America” through the World War II years.

A newspaper article from 1930 reported that the average elevation of the 175-acre site was about 18 inches above the water mark. The ground was soft for about three feet, but under that was an “underlying stratum of hard-pan” that required dynamite for excavation.

This building, even though it was in Berkeley, was named after neighboring Ocean Gate. It was only a transmitter. The other transmitter was in Lawrenceville. Ship-toshore messages were sent to a receiver in a 292-acre tract of marsh in Forked River. There was another in Manahawkin.

According to Long-Lines.net, this station was a high-frequency (shortwave) radio transmitting station providing telephone communications to ships at sea (high-seas service) and to overseas locations, under callsign WOO. In addition, the June 1958 List of Coast Stations issued by the International Telecommunications Union identifies Ocean Gate Radio (WOO) as “open to correspondence with aircraft,” one of 19 US coast stations so authorized.

As satellites became a more viable form of communication, short-wave radio became less of a concern. In 1999, the Federal Communications Commission authorized AT&T to discontinue high-seas service from this building.

The surrounding area is now a wildlife refuge owned by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service.

Food:

Continued From Page 4 college as part of Atlantic Cape Community College’s Academy of Culinary Arts program.

Anyone with a sweet tooth surely felt they’d made it to dessert heaven when they descended to the fi rst floor of the event’s location. Displays of individualized portions made it entirely too easy to sample multiple bakery delights.

The selections all had a visual and tasty appeal, from colorful macarons to chocolate and mango mousse, to other assorted goodies. The students who prepared the sweet treats were high school juniors who attend OCVTS a couple of hours a day.

Kelsey McAllister, 17, explained why the culinary arts program works well for her. She looks forward to what she learns at the vo-tech.

“I’ve realized I can’t really focus on things when it comes to paper,” Kelsey said. “When I learn hands-on, I work a lot better, and I also like getting to meet new people and bake and cook things.”

Sayers added her observations concerning why the school’s programs come with rave reviews and reports of success.

“I wholeheartedly believe in what we do to train students,” shared Sayers. “We train them to get a job, to learn a trade, to learn a skill.”

Veterans Resource Event

BERKELEY – The VFW Post 9503 will be hosting a Veteran’s Resource Event on May 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. Learn about various resources to help veterans. Bring a copy of your DD214 to sign up for the VA and other resources.