Fourth Annual Chef Tasting Event Hits The Beach

A large crowd came out to Martell’s Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant for the 4th Annual Chef Tasting at the Beach event. (Photo courtesy Dine On Us)

  POINT PLEASANT – Nothing Could Stop the 4th Annual Chef Tasting at the Beach…. not even the weather!

  The weather tried its best to slow down the momentum of the 4th Annual Chef Tasting at the Beach, hosted by Martell’s Tiki Bar, Point Pleasant, but it was no match for those who wanted to come out to show their support to area active military and their families.

  Several restaurants from the Jersey Shore had their best food ready to be served up. Event founder, Cliff Baker who heads the organization Dine On Us, said; “these restaurants and I have developed a friendship and partnership for over 30 years. Since Hurricane Sandy they have been providing charitable meals for thousands. Once they heard we were raising funds to create dining and entertainment opportunities for our New Jersey active military, there was no hesitation to join.”

Lili and Kiley hold up a big gift basket they won during the recently held 4th Annual Chef Tasting at the Beach event. (Photo courtesy Dine On Us)

  Dine On Us serves a mission to eliminate food insecurity in the military. Many active military are below the federal poverty line.

  The restaurants, including Marra Forni, Burger 25, Martell’s Tiki Bar, Martell’s Lobster House, Jake’s Crab House, Point Lobster Bar & Grill, Jersey Shore BBQ, La Scala Bakery, The Coffee Platoon, Chef Mike’s ABG, Ohana Grill, Waypoint 622, Harpoon Willy’s, Half Moon Point, Joe Leone’s, Berkeley Cut, Bum Roger’s Crabhouse, BoHo Bites, Four Seasons Diner, and Joe Bella’s, “wanted to put out their best knowing 70 members of the active military would also be in attendance,” Baker said.

  Baker noted that “in addition to our amazing restaurants we had exciting raffle baskets, a 50/50 raffle, Father & Son’s Sports Cards Memorabilia, and Touchstone Crystal Jewelry. The final count was 550 which was by far the largest turnout to an event we have ever created.”

Attendees at the 4th Annual Chef Tasting at Martell’s Tiki Bar. (Photo courtesy Dine On Us)

  “One of the members of the military in attendance was the Executive Officer and 2nd in command on the Naval Weapons Earle base, and his wife.  They said in their 20 years of military service, they have never experienced an event like this. It was a perfect opportunity to have a great date night. They expressed the event and ‘grub’ was phenomenal,” Baker added.

  As Baker spoke to the crowd, he emphasized that “these are the moments Dine on Us wants to create for our active military. This is what we want them to remember about their time stationed in the state. Moments like this are what they will talk about while on deployment and things get tough.”

  For more information, and to find out about future events, visit dineonus.org.