ĂÛÌÒÓ°Ïń Foundation 26th Annual Holiday Gala Will Dazzle with ‘Ooohs’ and ‘Aaahs’!

December 6, 2023

Aerialist champagne service, sculpted ice bars, and more is planned for the magical fundraising evening; EMI’s Andrew Campbell will be honored.

 

December 6, 2023, Jersey City, NJ – Enchanting aerialists, world-class cuisine popular the past 40 years, decades-themed dĂ©cor and music, and live demos will be showcased at the 26th Annual Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Foundation Holiday Gala on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 6 p.m. 

The fundraising event will be held at the HCCC Culinary Conference Center, 161 Newkirk Street in Jersey City, NJ. The memorable evening, that will also mark the 40th Anniversary of the College’s acclaimed Culinary Arts Institute (CAI), will begin with a welcoming Champagne Station courtesy of HCCC alumnus’ Fred Fogg Productions. Aerialists on a lollipop lyra will serve guests ‘Cirque de Soleil’ style, upside down while pouring bubbly. Later, guests can pose for red carpet photos as they enter the Ballroom. Hors d’oeuvres by HCCC Chef Instructors Rob Maurer and Enmely Soriano will be served throughout the evening.

 

HCCC Culinary Arts Students

Students from ĂÛÌÒÓ°Ïń’s (HCCC) nationally acclaimed Culinary Arts Institute are pictured at the Seafood Bar of the HCCC Foundation 26th Annual Holiday Gala, that will be held on December 7, 2023.

Those in attendance are encouraged to explore the CAI kitchens and enjoy food inspired by four decades of culture – all prepared and served by HCCC CAI professional chef instructors, their students, and alumni. Included are:

  • Seafood Bar & Vodka Luge - Chef Kevin O’Malley’s ice sculptures take center stage with seafood favorites and Robert Hamer’s martinis through the decades.
  • “The Groovy 1970’s” - Chef Gary Bensky will prepare Benihana-style filet mignon, Katz’s-inspired pastrami, and other 1970’s delights.
  • “1980’s Celebration Kool” - East meets West in the 1980’s and 1990’s with the combined talents of Chefs Kim Fong and Anthony Clode: seared chicken and smoked duck Galantines, foie gras pate with prosciutto, vegetarian terrines, chicken a la king pot pie, chimichurri, and more.
  • “Livin’ in the 1990’s” - Chef Jasmine Pascua will serve crab cakes, tamarind lollipop chicken wings, Filipino BBQ, and much more.
  • “The 2000’s Sunrise” - Sushi and Sashimi Bar plus steamed oysters, prepared by Chef Puk.
  • “Breads Through the Decades” - Chef Courtney Payne will offer bruschetta, pretzel nuggets, avocado toast, white pizza, panini bread bowls, and more.
  • “The Doctor’s Bar” - Dr. Peter Cronrath will shake things up with his mastery of beverage service.
  • “The Exploration Room” - Live demonstrations showcase the College’s Schools of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Humanities and Social Sciences, Nursing & Health Sciences, and Continuing Education & Workforce Development.
  • Works from The Foundation Art Collection and Student Art will be displayed on the third floor. The Foundation was the driving force behind the establishment of the College’s Permanent Art Collection in 2006. The collection now boasts more than 1,850 pieces of fine art by internationally renowned artists.
  • After the Program - Desserts by Chefs Matthew Siciliano and Margaret Wong, chocolate showpieces by Chef Stephane Motir.
  • The Fine Details are provided by Janine Nunez (bartending); and Marissa Lontoc, Tonja Webb, and Diana Ramirez (service).

The ĂÛÌÒÓ°Ïń CAI is nationally recognized for its award-winning curriculum, small class sizes, intensive hands-on lessons, and programming that emphasizes teamwork, discipline, technique, and proper service. Alumni include James Beard “Rising Star Chef” nominee Bruce Kalman, Chopped champion Claude Lewis, celebrity chef Jesse Jones, and America’s Test Kitchen tester Rene Hewitt. The 72,000 square-foot CAI/Conference Center features state-of-the-art kitchens and classrooms including a bakery, ice sculpting studio, fish-and-butchery room, and mock-hotel hospitality suite. CAI kitchens were featured in TLC’s “Cake Boss” and Progresso Soup’s “Ring-Ring” commercials.

At evening’s end, Andrew Campbell, President of Eastern Millwork, Inc. (EMI) in Jersey City will receive the 2023 Distinguished Community Service Award. EMI’s partnership with the College has helped build a national model for workforce development.

The HCCC Foundation 2023 Gala Sponsorship Levels include five options: $500 Individual Dinner Ticket; $4,000 Scholarship Sponsorship with a table for four; $6,000 Community Sponsorship with a table for eight and a virtual ad; $10,000 Ambassador of the Arts Sponsorship with a table for eight and a private guided tour of the Foundation Art Collection; and $20,000 Jade Anniversary Sponsorship with a table for eight, and two on-stage tickets for the HCCC 2024 Commencement Ceremony. Sponsorships and donations support scholarships, books, and more for deserving students. For details on giving, please go to /community/foundation/events/gala.html.

The HCCC Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation providing tax-exempt status to contributors. Established in 1997, the Foundation generates financial support for the College’s growth, awards scholarships, provides seed money for new programs and stipends for faculty development, and supports cultural enrichment. Since its founding, the Foundation has awarded nearly $4 million in scholarships to over 2,000 students. Each year the Foundation provides $40,000 to assist students with course materials.