The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
More than 500 people crowded into the Palace at Somerset Park June 11 for the 19th annual Elijah’s Promise Chef’s Night.
The event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the New Brunswick-based charitable organization, proceeds of which go to support the group’s Promise Culinary School.
The attendees – 550 in total – were treated to menu samplings from about 30 area restaurants, including from Franklin Sophie’s Bistro, BAM Desserts, Masala Bay and La Bonbonniere Bake Shoppes.
Michelle Wilson, Elijah’s Promise’s executive director, said the event was a success.
“It is our fourth straight year of a sold-out crowd, and we’re running a wait list,” she said.
Wilson said there are several reasons behind the sell-out crowds.
“I think it is the cause, but also it’s the extraordinary chefs and the establishments that put out these incredible dishes, and every year the food is amazing and innovative and tasty and it’s a really fun night,” she said.
Money from the event is used to provide scholarships and to generally support the culinary school, and raises about $110,000 each year, Wilson said.
The school is a state-approved vocational program. Students attend full-time for about six months, after which they graduate with a certification in the culinary school vocational arts.
“It trains people to get right into the culinary work force,” she said. “We have over 900 grads and 100 percent placement rate for last few classes.”
“A number of our students go to work in the restaurants, at hospitals, nursing facilities,” Wilson said. “We also have some who go on to four-year programs, like the Culinary Institute of America and Johnson & Wales” University.
The Franklin Reporter & Advocate live-streamed the event:
https://www.facebook.com/franklinreporter/videos/1544672472311126/
https://www.facebook.com/franklinreporter/videos/1544679058977134/
