Ventnor Chef's Night Out, May 19, 2024. From left, Bruce and Sue Kaminisky of Margate, with Scott and Lisa Kaminsky of Ventnor.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – The cloudy weather turned into bright sunshine for the 11
th annual Chef’s Night Out held Sunday, May 19 at more than 20 of the city’s top eateries. The event, which was held every year except after Hurricane Sandy and during the COVID-19 outbreak, takes months to prepare but only a few hours to enjoy. The event is organized by the dedicated volunteers at the Ventnor Beautification Committee with proceeds going to beautify the city.
“This is our first year doing it,” said Scott Kaminsky who lives in Ventnor with his wife Lisa. “We’ve been in the area for 26 years, and we finally got to experience this with my brother Bruce and his wife Sue who live in Margate.”
Ventnor Public Works Supervisor Rick Santoro and Mark Balara, both of Ventnor.
Ventnor’s Public Works supervisor, Rick Santoro, said he brought 45 people in two separate groups to the event.
“They’re from Ocean City and from out of state, and Ventnor and Margate, and we’re all pickleballers,” he said.
Santoro said the rise of the popularity of the sport has created new friendships and Chef’s Night Out was a great way to get everyone together in a social setting outside of the courts.
Each of the restaurants served up sample tastings of what could be found on the menu for a sit-down meal. Pulia offered eggplant with gnocci, Aroma provided clams oreganata and a side salad, North Beach Café & Creamery provided miniature crabcakes and grilled Rubens, Velo offered shrimp civeche and a sauted chicken dish that bears the Velo name, and Stella offered roasted tomato soup with a basil pesto finish.
Only 365 tickets were sold for the event. According to organizer Shelly D’Orazio, the group limits ticket sales and sends participants to starting points in different locations so the businesses are not overwhelmed by large crowds anxious to taste their offerings.
Each of the restaurants had a host who checked off the name of the restaurant on tickets.
Florrie Reinfeld wore her favorite earrings.
Host Florrie Reinfeld wore her favorite earrings made from silver forks to celebrate the festival of food.
“I wear them whenever I go out to dinner. I’m here checking tickets and enjoying the music of the band, Even Betta,” she said.
https://youtu.be/9S5Q76sD4Cg?si=8xxL9C_O6clZMR-I
Nearby was Christina Trice selling her “assemblage” artworks made from trinkets she collected over the years.
Trice had a story to tell for every piece she created, noting each of the miniature items that spark memories of her youth, some of which were found at yardsales, thrift shops and online.
“I played with my dollhouse until I was 12 years old,” the Pleasantville-based artist said.
Judi Yost, who was enjoying the dine-around with friends, said she helped organize the very first Chef’s Night Out.
“I was on the Beautification Committee when we started this event and the Garden Tour,” she said. “So far, everything is A-plus, but I especially liked the penne al la vodka.”
The locals were out in full force in the Heights section where a block along Dorset Avenue was bustling with activity, eating seafood at PJ Buckets and The Red Room’s famously popular eggplant parmasean served up with homemade rigatoni in a tomato crème sauce.
Steve Ranck, who lives in Maryland but summers in Ventnor, said he was enjoying his second visit to the food extravaganza.
“I’ll definitely be back next year,” he said.
His daughter Alyssa and son-in-law Bradley came to visit from New York City where every type of cuisine imaginable is available within walking distance to their home.
“The food here is just as good,” Alyssa said.
Tina Bregman, who lives in the St. Leonard’s neighborhood, said the event brings out the locals every year,
“I like the sense of community at this event,” she said. “We get to support these businesses all year long, but tonight we get to enjoy them all in one night.”
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