Culinary Treats Dazzle At 18th Annual Taste of the Nation Princeton

Sweet potato crisp topped with duck confit, anyone?

How about seared yellow fin tuna over spring mix with sesame mustard dressing and soy drizzle?

On Monday night event organizers, led by chairwoman Joanne  Meehan of Princeton, transformed the ballroom at The Westin Hotel at the Forrestal Village in Plainsboro into a showcase of 41 area restaurants from both Princeton and across New Jersey. 

It was the 18^th annual Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Princeton, a local event which mirrors more than 40 others held throughout the U.S. and Canada each year.

Chefs prepared food and beverage samples for more than 200 guests.

The evening was a chance for chefs, breweries and others to display their talents and give back to the community.

All proceeds from the $85 per ticket entrance fee, plus a live and silent auction, will go toward eradicating childhood hunger in Mercer County.  Proceeds will help fund efforts by Mercer Street Friends, Isles, HomeFront and Food Bank of South Jersey.

“(We come here) more for the intrinsic value to give back to the community and raise money for people who need it,” said Adriano DiDonato from Bon Appetit Fine Foods in Princeton.

DiDonato and all other participants donated their time and supplies for the evening.

According to Share our Strength, a national non-proft that seeks to combat childhood hunger, nearly one in four children struggle with hunger in the U.S. 

In 2010, Taste of the Nation Princeton raised nearly $37,000, money that helped Mercer County non-profits fill backpacks with kid-friendly, nutritious food, feed families at a local shelter and plant school and community gardens, among other initiatives.

Most of the restaurants’ staff said they have been coming to the event for years, but Monday was the inaugural visit for Village Cupcakes, a new business in Cranbury owned by Anne Marie Gibson and Debbie Driscoll.

“We’re both busy moms and cupcakes are nicely packaged portion controlled treats, great for kids,” Gibson said.

The women launched their business in 2011, back in the kitchen of the Cranbury Inn and offer local delivery of both regular and mini-cupcakes with a minimum one dozen order.  

Monday helped the new business spread word about their sweet treats.

Melanie Johnson of Cranbury stopped by the Village Cupcakes table for a sample and said everything she had tasted during the evening so far was delicious.

“And I think this year the even is better attended than normal,” Johnson said. 

Sweet potato crisp topped with duck confit, anyone?

How about seared yellow fin tuna over spring mix with sesame mustard dressing and soy drizzle?

On Monday night event organizers, led by chairwoman Joanne  Meehan of Princeton, transformed the ballroom at The Westin Hotel at the Forrestal Village in Plainsboro into a showcase of 41 area restaurants from both Princeton and across New Jersey. 

It was the 18^th annual Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Princeton, a local event which mirrors more than 40 others held throughout the U.S. and Canada each year.

Chefs prepared food and beverage samples for more than 200 guests.

The evening was a chance for chefs, breweries and others to display their talents and give back to the community.

All proceeds from the $85 per ticket entrance fee, plus a live and silent auction, will go toward eradicating childhood hunger in Mercer County.  Proceeds will help fund efforts by Mercer Street Friends, Isles, HomeFront and Food Bank of South Jersey.

“(We come here) more for the intrinsic value to give back to the community and raise money for people who need it,” said Adriano DiDonato from Bon Appetit Fine Foods in Princeton.

DiDonato and all other participants donated their time and supplies for the evening.

According to Share our Strength, a national non-proft that seeks to combat childhood hunger, nearly one in four children struggle with hunger in the U.S. 

In 2010, Taste of the Nation Princeton raised nearly $37,000, money that helped Mercer County non-profits fill backpacks with kid-friendly, nutritious food, feed families at a local shelter and plant school and community gardens, among other initiatives.

Most of the restaurants’ staff said they have been coming to the event for years, but Monday was the inaugural visit for Village Cupcakes, a new business in Cranbury owned by Anne Marie Gibson and Debbie Driscoll.

“We’re both busy moms and cupcakes are nicely packaged portion controlled treats, great for kids,” Gibson said.

The women launched their business in 2011, back in the kitchen of the Cranbury Inn and offer local delivery of both regular and mini-cupcakes with a minimum one dozen order.  

Monday helped the new business spread word about their sweet treats.

Melanie Johnson of Cranbury stopped by the Village Cupcakes table for a sample and said everything she had tasted during the evening so far was delicious.

“And I think this year the even is better attended than normal,” Johnson said. 

Sweet potato crisp topped with duck confit, anyone?

How about seared yellow fin tuna over spring mix with sesame mustard dressing and soy drizzle?

On Monday night event organizers, led by chairwoman Joanne  Meehan of Princeton, transformed the ballroom at The Westin Hotel at the Forrestal Village in Plainsboro into a showcase of 41 area restaurants from both Princeton and across New Jersey. 

It was the 18^th annual Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Princeton, a local event which mirrors more than 40 others held throughout the U.S. and Canada each year.

Chefs prepared food and beverage samples for more than 200 guests.

The evening was a chance for chefs, breweries and others to display their talents and give back to the community.

All proceeds from the $85 per ticket entrance fee, plus a live and silent auction, will go toward eradicating childhood hunger in Mercer County.  Proceeds will help fund efforts by Mercer Street Friends, Isles, HomeFront and Food Bank of South Jersey.

“(We come here) more for the intrinsic value to give back to the community and raise money for people who need it,” said Adriano DiDonato from Bon Appetit Fine Foods in Princeton.

DiDonato and all other participants donated their time and supplies for the evening.

According to Share our Strength, a national non-proft that seeks to combat childhood hunger, nearly one in four children struggle with hunger in the U.S. 

In 2010, Taste of the Nation Princeton raised nearly $37,000, money that helped Mercer County non-profits fill backpacks with kid-friendly, nutritious food, feed families at a local shelter and plant school and community gardens, among other initiatives.

Most of the restaurants’ staff said they have been coming to the event for years, but Monday was the inaugural visit for Village Cupcakes, a new business in Cranbury owned by Anne Marie Gibson and Debbie Driscoll.

“We’re both busy moms and cupcakes are nicely packaged portion controlled treats, great for kids,” Gibson said.

The women launched their business in 2011, back in the kitchen of the Cranbury Inn and offer local delivery of both regular and mini-cupcakes with a minimum one dozen order.  

Monday helped the new business spread word about their sweet treats.

Melanie Johnson of Cranbury stopped by the Village Cupcakes table for a sample and said everything she had tasted during the evening so far was delicious.

“And I think this year the even is better attended than normal,” Johnson said. 

Sweet potato crisp topped with duck confit, anyone?

How about seared yellow fin tuna over spring mix with sesame mustard dressing and soy drizzle?

On Monday night event organizers, led by chairwoman Joanne  Meehan of Princeton, transformed the ballroom at The Westin Hotel at the Forrestal Village in Plainsboro into a showcase of 41 area restaurants from both Princeton and across New Jersey. 

It was the 18^th annual Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Princeton, a local event which mirrors more than 40 others held throughout the U.S. and Canada each year.

Chefs prepared food and beverage samples for more than 200 guests.

The evening was a chance for chefs, breweries and others to display their talents and give back to the community.

All proceeds from the $85 per ticket entrance fee, plus a live and silent auction, will go toward eradicating childhood hunger in Mercer County.  Proceeds will help fund efforts by Mercer Street Friends, Isles, HomeFront and Food Bank of South Jersey.

“(We come here) more for the intrinsic value to give back to the community and raise money for people who need it,” said Adriano DiDonato from Bon Appetit Fine Foods in Princeton.

DiDonato and all other participants donated their time and supplies for the evening.

According to Share our Strength, a national non-proft that seeks to combat childhood hunger, nearly one in four children struggle with hunger in the U.S. 

In 2010, Taste of the Nation Princeton raised nearly $37,000, money that helped Mercer County non-profits fill backpacks with kid-friendly, nutritious food, feed families at a local shelter and plant school and community gardens, among other initiatives.

Most of the restaurants’ staff said they have been coming to the event for years, but Monday was the inaugural visit for Village Cupcakes, a new business in Cranbury owned by Anne Marie Gibson and Debbie Driscoll.

“We’re both busy moms and cupcakes are nicely packaged portion controlled treats, great for kids,” Gibson said.

The women launched their business in 2011, back in the kitchen of the Cranbury Inn and offer local delivery of both regular and mini-cupcakes with a minimum one dozen order.  

Monday helped the new business spread word about their sweet treats.

Melanie Johnson of Cranbury stopped by the Village Cupcakes table for a sample and said everything she had tasted during the evening so far was delicious.

“And I think this year the even is better attended than normal,” Johnson said. 

Sweet potato crisp topped with duck confit, anyone?

How about seared yellow fin tuna over spring mix with sesame mustard dressing and soy drizzle?

On Monday night event organizers, led by chairwoman Joanne  Meehan of Princeton, transformed the ballroom at The Westin Hotel at the Forrestal Village in Plainsboro into a showcase of 41 area restaurants from both Princeton and across New Jersey. 

It was the 18^th annual Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Princeton, a local event which mirrors more than 40 others held throughout the U.S. and Canada each year.

Chefs prepared food and beverage samples for more than 200 guests.

The evening was a chance for chefs, breweries and others to display their talents and give back to the community.

All proceeds from the $85 per ticket entrance fee, plus a live and silent auction, will go toward eradicating childhood hunger in Mercer County.  Proceeds will help fund efforts by Mercer Street Friends, Isles, HomeFront and Food Bank of South Jersey.

“(We come here) more for the intrinsic value to give back to the community and raise money for people who need it,” said Adriano DiDonato from Bon Appetit Fine Foods in Princeton.

DiDonato and all other participants donated their time and supplies for the evening.

According to Share our Strength, a national non-proft that seeks to combat childhood hunger, nearly one in four children struggle with hunger in the U.S. 

In 2010, Taste of the Nation Princeton raised nearly $37,000, money that helped Mercer County non-profits fill backpacks with kid-friendly, nutritious food, feed families at a local shelter and plant school and community gardens, among other initiatives.

Most of the restaurants’ staff said they have been coming to the event for years, but Monday was the inaugural visit for Village Cupcakes, a new business in Cranbury owned by Anne Marie Gibson and Debbie Driscoll.

“We’re both busy moms and cupcakes are nicely packaged portion controlled treats, great for kids,” Gibson said.

The women launched their business in 2011, back in the kitchen of the Cranbury Inn and offer local delivery of both regular and mini-cupcakes with a minimum one dozen order.  

Monday helped the new business spread word about their sweet treats.

Melanie Johnson of Cranbury stopped by the Village Cupcakes table for a sample and said everything she had tasted during the evening so far was delicious.

“And I think this year the even is better attended than normal,” Johnson said. 

Sweet potato crisp topped with duck confit, anyone?

How about seared yellow fin tuna over spring mix with sesame mustard dressing and soy drizzle?

On Monday night event organizers, led by chairwoman Joanne  Meehan of Princeton, transformed the ballroom at The Westin Hotel at the Forrestal Village in Plainsboro into a showcase of 41 area restaurants from both Princeton and across New Jersey. 

It was the 18^th annual Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Princeton, a local event which mirrors more than 40 others held throughout the U.S. and Canada each year.

Chefs prepared food and beverage samples for more than 200 guests.

The evening was a chance for chefs, breweries and others to display their talents and give back to the community.

All proceeds from the $85 per ticket entrance fee, plus a live and silent auction, will go toward eradicating childhood hunger in Mercer County.  Proceeds will help fund efforts by Mercer Street Friends, Isles, HomeFront and Food Bank of South Jersey.

“(We come here) more for the intrinsic value to give back to the community and raise money for people who need it,” said Adriano DiDonato from Bon Appetit Fine Foods in Princeton.

DiDonato and all other participants donated their time and supplies for the evening.

According to Share our Strength, a national non-proft that seeks to combat childhood hunger, nearly one in four children struggle with hunger in the U.S. 

In 2010, Taste of the Nation Princeton raised nearly $37,000, money that helped Mercer County non-profits fill backpacks with kid-friendly, nutritious food, feed families at a local shelter and plant school and community gardens, among other initiatives.

Most of the restaurants’ staff said they have been coming to the event for years, but Monday was the inaugural visit for Village Cupcakes, a new business in Cranbury owned by Anne Marie Gibson and Debbie Driscoll.

“We’re both busy moms and cupcakes are nicely packaged portion controlled treats, great for kids,” Gibson said.

The women launched their business in 2011, back in the kitchen of the Cranbury Inn and offer local delivery of both regular and mini-cupcakes with a minimum one dozen order.  

Monday helped the new business spread word about their sweet treats.

Melanie Johnson of Cranbury stopped by the Village Cupcakes table for a sample and said everything she had tasted during the evening so far was delicious.

“And I think this year the even is better attended than normal,” Johnson said. 

Sweet potato crisp topped with duck confit, anyone?

How about seared yellow fin tuna over spring mix with sesame mustard dressing and soy drizzle?

On Monday night event organizers, led by chairwoman Joanne  Meehan of Princeton, transformed the ballroom at The Westin Hotel at the Forrestal Village in Plainsboro into a showcase of 41 area restaurants from both Princeton and across New Jersey. 

It was the 18^th annual Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Princeton, a local event which mirrors more than 40 others held throughout the U.S. and Canada each year.

Chefs prepared food and beverage samples for more than 200 guests.

The evening was a chance for chefs, breweries and others to display their talents and give back to the community.

All proceeds from the $85 per ticket entrance fee, plus a live and silent auction, will go toward eradicating childhood hunger in Mercer County.  Proceeds will help fund efforts by Mercer Street Friends, Isles, HomeFront and Food Bank of South Jersey.

“(We come here) more for the intrinsic value to give back to the community and raise money for people who need it,” said Adriano DiDonato from Bon Appetit Fine Foods in Princeton.

DiDonato and all other participants donated their time and supplies for the evening.

According to Share our Strength, a national non-proft that seeks to combat childhood hunger, nearly one in four children struggle with hunger in the U.S. 

In 2010, Taste of the Nation Princeton raised nearly $37,000, money that helped Mercer County non-profits fill backpacks with kid-friendly, nutritious food, feed families at a local shelter and plant school and community gardens, among other initiatives.

Most of the restaurants’ staff said they have been coming to the event for years, but Monday was the inaugural visit for Village Cupcakes, a new business in Cranbury owned by Anne Marie Gibson and Debbie Driscoll.

“We’re both busy moms and cupcakes are nicely packaged portion controlled treats, great for kids,” Gibson said.

The women launched their business in 2011, back in the kitchen of the Cranbury Inn and offer local delivery of both regular and mini-cupcakes with a minimum one dozen order.  

Monday helped the new business spread word about their sweet treats.

Melanie Johnson of Cranbury stopped by the Village Cupcakes table for a sample and said everything she had tasted during the evening so far was delicious.

“And I think this year the even is better attended than normal,” Johnson said. 

Sweet potato crisp topped with duck confit, anyone?

How about seared yellow fin tuna over spring mix with sesame mustard dressing and soy drizzle?

On Monday night event organizers, led by chairwoman Joanne  Meehan of Princeton, transformed the ballroom at The Westin Hotel at the Forrestal Village in Plainsboro into a showcase of 41 area restaurants from both Princeton and across New Jersey. 

It was the 18^th annual Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Princeton, a local event which mirrors more than 40 others held throughout the U.S. and Canada each year.

Chefs prepared food and beverage samples for more than 200 guests.

The evening was a chance for chefs, breweries and others to display their talents and give back to the community.

All proceeds from the $85 per ticket entrance fee, plus a live and silent auction, will go toward eradicating childhood hunger in Mercer County.  Proceeds will help fund efforts by Mercer Street Friends, Isles, HomeFront and Food Bank of South Jersey.

“(We come here) more for the intrinsic value to give back to the community and raise money for people who need it,” said Adriano DiDonato from Bon Appetit Fine Foods in Princeton.

DiDonato and all other participants donated their time and supplies for the evening.

According to Share our Strength, a national non-proft that seeks to combat childhood hunger, nearly one in four children struggle with hunger in the U.S. 

In 2010, Taste of the Nation Princeton raised nearly $37,000, money that helped Mercer County non-profits fill backpacks with kid-friendly, nutritious food, feed families at a local shelter and plant school and community gardens, among other initiatives.

Most of the restaurants’ staff said they have been coming to the event for years, but Monday was the inaugural visit for Village Cupcakes, a new business in Cranbury owned by Anne Marie Gibson and Debbie Driscoll.

“We’re both busy moms and cupcakes are nicely packaged portion controlled treats, great for kids,” Gibson said.

The women launched their business in 2011, back in the kitchen of the Cranbury Inn and offer local delivery of both regular and mini-cupcakes with a minimum one dozen order.  

Monday helped the new business spread word about their sweet treats.

Melanie Johnson of Cranbury stopped by the Village Cupcakes table for a sample and said everything she had tasted during the evening so far was delicious.

“And I think this year the even is better attended than normal,” Johnson said. 

Sweet potato crisp topped with duck confit, anyone?

How about seared yellow fin tuna over spring mix with sesame mustard dressing and soy drizzle?

On Monday night event organizers, led by chairwoman Joanne  Meehan of Princeton, transformed the ballroom at The Westin Hotel at the Forrestal Village in Plainsboro into a showcase of 41 area restaurants from both Princeton and across New Jersey. 

It was the 18^th annual Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Princeton, a local event which mirrors more than 40 others held throughout the U.S. and Canada each year.

Chefs prepared food and beverage samples for more than 200 guests.

The evening was a chance for chefs, breweries and others to display their talents and give back to the community.

All proceeds from the $85 per ticket entrance fee, plus a live and silent auction, will go toward eradicating childhood hunger in Mercer County.  Proceeds will help fund efforts by Mercer Street Friends, Isles, HomeFront and Food Bank of South Jersey.

“(We come here) more for the intrinsic value to give back to the community and raise money for people who need it,” said Adriano DiDonato from Bon Appetit Fine Foods in Princeton.

DiDonato and all other participants donated their time and supplies for the evening.

According to Share our Strength, a national non-proft that seeks to combat childhood hunger, nearly one in four children struggle with hunger in the U.S. 

In 2010, Taste of the Nation Princeton raised nearly $37,000, money that helped Mercer County non-profits fill backpacks with kid-friendly, nutritious food, feed families at a local shelter and plant school and community gardens, among other initiatives.

Most of the restaurants’ staff said they have been coming to the event for years, but Monday was the inaugural visit for Village Cupcakes, a new business in Cranbury owned by Anne Marie Gibson and Debbie Driscoll.

“We’re both busy moms and cupcakes are nicely packaged portion controlled treats, great for kids,” Gibson said.

The women launched their business in 2011, back in the kitchen of the Cranbury Inn and offer local delivery of both regular and mini-cupcakes with a minimum one dozen order.  

Monday helped the new business spread word about their sweet treats.

Melanie Johnson of Cranbury stopped by the Village Cupcakes table for a sample and said everything she had tasted during the evening so far was delicious.

“And I think this year the even is better attended than normal,” Johnson said. 

Sweet potato crisp topped with duck confit, anyone?

How about seared yellow fin tuna over spring mix with sesame mustard dressing and soy drizzle?

On Monday night event organizers, led by chairwoman Joanne  Meehan of Princeton, transformed the ballroom at The Westin Hotel at the Forrestal Village in Plainsboro into a showcase of 41 area restaurants from both Princeton and across New Jersey. 

It was the 18^th annual Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Princeton, a local event which mirrors more than 40 others held throughout the U.S. and Canada each year.

Chefs prepared food and beverage samples for more than 200 guests.

The evening was a chance for chefs, breweries and others to display their talents and give back to the community.

All proceeds from the $85 per ticket entrance fee, plus a live and silent auction, will go toward eradicating childhood hunger in Mercer County.  Proceeds will help fund efforts by Mercer Street Friends, Isles, HomeFront and Food Bank of South Jersey.

“(We come here) more for the intrinsic value to give back to the community and raise money for people who need it,” said Adriano DiDonato from Bon Appetit Fine Foods in Princeton.

DiDonato and all other participants donated their time and supplies for the evening.

According to Share our Strength, a national non-proft that seeks to combat childhood hunger, nearly one in four children struggle with hunger in the U.S. 

In 2010, Taste of the Nation Princeton raised nearly $37,000, money that helped Mercer County non-profits fill backpacks with kid-friendly, nutritious food, feed families at a local shelter and plant school and community gardens, among other initiatives.

Most of the restaurants’ staff said they have been coming to the event for years, but Monday was the inaugural visit for Village Cupcakes, a new business in Cranbury owned by Anne Marie Gibson and Debbie Driscoll.

“We’re both busy moms and cupcakes are nicely packaged portion controlled treats, great for kids,” Gibson said.

The women launched their business in 2011, back in the kitchen of the Cranbury Inn and offer local delivery of both regular and mini-cupcakes with a minimum one dozen order.  

Monday helped the new business spread word about their sweet treats.

Melanie Johnson of Cranbury stopped by the Village Cupcakes table for a sample and said everything she had tasted during the evening so far was delicious.

“And I think this year the even is better attended than normal,” Johnson said. 

Sweet potato crisp topped with duck confit, anyone?

How about seared yellow fin tuna over spring mix with sesame mustard dressing and soy drizzle?

On Monday night event organizers, led by chairwoman Joanne  Meehan of Princeton, transformed the ballroom at The Westin Hotel at the Forrestal Village in Plainsboro into a showcase of 41 area restaurants from both Princeton and across New Jersey. 

It was the 18^th annual Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Princeton, a local event which mirrors more than 40 others held throughout the U.S. and Canada each year.

Chefs prepared food and beverage samples for more than 200 guests.

The evening was a chance for chefs, breweries and others to display their talents and give back to the community.

All proceeds from the $85 per ticket entrance fee, plus a live and silent auction, will go toward eradicating childhood hunger in Mercer County.  Proceeds will help fund efforts by Mercer Street Friends, Isles, HomeFront and Food Bank of South Jersey.

“(We come here) more for the intrinsic value to give back to the community and raise money for people who need it,” said Adriano DiDonato from Bon Appetit Fine Foods in Princeton.

DiDonato and all other participants donated their time and supplies for the evening.

According to Share our Strength, a national non-proft that seeks to combat childhood hunger, nearly one in four children struggle with hunger in the U.S. 

In 2010, Taste of the Nation Princeton raised nearly $37,000, money that helped Mercer County non-profits fill backpacks with kid-friendly, nutritious food, feed families at a local shelter and plant school and community gardens, among other initiatives.

Most of the restaurants’ staff said they have been coming to the event for years, but Monday was the inaugural visit for Village Cupcakes, a new business in Cranbury owned by Anne Marie Gibson and Debbie Driscoll.

“We’re both busy moms and cupcakes are nicely packaged portion controlled treats, great for kids,” Gibson said.

The women launched their business in 2011, back in the kitchen of the Cranbury Inn and offer local delivery of both regular and mini-cupcakes with a minimum one dozen order.  

Monday helped the new business spread word about their sweet treats.

Melanie Johnson of Cranbury stopped by the Village Cupcakes table for a sample and said everything she had tasted during the evening so far was delicious.

“And I think this year the even is better attended than normal,” Johnson said.