LITTLE SILVER — The students of Red Bank Regional High School’s (RBR) culinary class recently assumed the responsibilities for cooking, serving and seating restaurant patrons at its third annual “Hope is Delicious” dinner fundraiser to benefit JBJ Soul Kitchen.
“We want to be part of the community and what better way to do that than have your local high school come in and cook for us,” said JBJ Soul Kitchen Manager Lou Morreale.
“And the kids are just amazing,” he said. “When Chef Peter Roskowinski (RBR’s culinary teacher) brings these kids, they are top of the class and do a great job.”
The evening’s menu featured a panko-crusted eggplant perogie finished with sautéed shrimp in a petite, diced vegetable cream sauce. A tossed romaine salad dressed with red wine vinaigrette accompanied the main course of braised boneless chicken thighs in a shallot wine sauce with a side dish of Mediterranean-style couscous and oven-roasted cauliflower. The pièce de résistance was an Italian mascarpone espresso chocolate chip ice box pie.
“We love [participating in] the annual JBJ Soul Kitchen fundraiser,” Roskowinski said. “The people here are great to work with, and this is such an incredible opportunity for our kids to work in a restaurant setting [and] take full control while performing a community service.”
The students agreed with their teacher’s sentiment. Senior Victoria Scamardella said it was her favorite cooking assignment in the culinary program. “It is a great atmosphere in which to cook with my peers.”
Fellow classmate Derrick Bradley was grateful for the opportunity to showcase his skills and increase his restaurant experience. He has already landed a job as a sous chef at a Monmouth County restaurant.
Kaylee Faragasso added, “Working in places like the Soul Kitchen is wonderful as I get to show what I can do while doing good things for people.”
For more information about JBJ Soul Kitchen, visit www.jbjsoulkitchen.org.
