Last year, Hot From The Kettle® attended the Clara Maass Medical Center Foundation’s signature event, A Tasteful Experience. 

This year, the event will be held on Monday, November 12, 2012, at the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, NJ. Funds raised will benefit the Medical Center’s Child Life Program which helps children and their families cope with illness and hospitalization.

In addition to the event supporting pediatric services that improve the quality of life for children in need of medical care, A Tasteful Experience has repeatedly showcased the best food and wine in New Jersey to large audiences of philanthropic and influential guests.

The evening features more than 40 of the area’s finest restaurants, caterers and purveyors of spirits who donate their time, talent and delicious food to benefit Clara Maass. Among the culinary delights will be Italian, Japanese, Latin, Ethiopian, Irish, Mexican, seafood, and continental cuisines as well as gourmet desserts. Representing some of the finest wines will be Clara Maass Trustee and Sommelier of Amanti Vino in Montclair, Sharon Sevrens. Ms. Sevrens has been a loyal supporter of A Tasteful Experience since 2005, and brings a passion for hand-selected artisanal wines from around the world. In addition, Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, New York’s first fruit micro-distillery, will be a participant. The Distillery is co-owned by Jeremy Kidde, whose grandfather, John F. Kidde, was a hospital trustee and leader in the $2.8 million campaign in 1949 to relocate Newark’s Lutheran Memorial Hospital, build it in Belleville and rename it Clara Maass Hospital.

“We are delighted that there will be so many outstanding participants at this year’s event,” said Jane Newman Kessler, CFRE, vice president, Clara Maass Medical Center Foundation.

Some contributors that have participated throughout the years include NJ Monthly Top 25 Winners, CulinAriane, Fascino, Blu and Orange Squirrel; Best Italian Restaurant, Osteria Giotto; Best Latin American Restaurant, Costanera; and Best Seafood Restaurant, Fin..

Exciting new additions for this year include Pig and Prince, Montclair, Nico Kitchen + Bar, Newark, and Salugo Bistro, Verona.

Food and wine aficionados can attend the Main Event, beginning at 7 p.m. for $110. For the VIP Experience, guests can purchase a ticket for $200, which offers early admission at 6 p.m. and a luxury swag bag.

To purchase tickets, visit www.claramaassfoundation.org or call 973.450.2251 for more information.