ROCKLEIGH, N,J. — James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur and author Kwame Onwuachi will be honored this fall as more than 30 chefs gather in Rockleigh to support a North Jersey organization that rescues surplus food for people in need.
Table to Table’s 2026 Chefs Gala is set for Thursday, Oct. 15, at The Rockleigh. Organizers said demand prompted the annual fundraiser’s move to the larger venue.
A cocktail reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by a multicourse dinner prepared and served tableside by participating chefs. The evening also will include wine pairings and a live auction. American Express is the presenting sponsor.
Onwuachi, the gala’s chef honoree, won the James Beard Foundation’s Rising Star Chef of the Year award in 2019. Time magazine included him on its list of the 100 most influential people of 2025.
His restaurants include Tatiana in New York City, Dōgon in Washington and Maroon in Miami. He also is the author of the memoir “Notes From a Young Black Chef” and the cookbook “My America: Recipes From a Young Black Chef.”
“It is a great privilege to recognize Chef Kwame as our 2026 chef honoree,” Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson said in announcing the event. “We are honored to celebrate his achievements and are grateful that he is sharing our mission of reducing food waste and feeding our community in need.”
The regional lineup includes Giuseppe Agostino, chef and owner of Verana in Norwood, and Alex Gorant, executive chef and partner at Axia Taverna in Tenafly.
Other participating chefs represent restaurants, country clubs, specialty food businesses and private dining operations across New Jersey. They include Brandon Campney of Stirling Tavern; AJ Capella of Summit House; Roberto Carnero of Warique; Casey Colaneri and Gus Gutierrez of Cubita Cafe; Michael Cosenza of Mike’s Pasta Shoppe; Antonio De Ieso of Fiorentini; Luis Estacio of The Capital Grille; Robbie Felice of Viaggio; Leia Gaccione of The Saint Clair; and Jeffrey Galan of Fossil Farms.
The roster also includes Melanie Gonzalez of Saddle River Inn; Stephen Hayek of Saddle River Cafe; Dennis Mathews of Ember & Eagle; Greg Power of Matisse 167; Logan Ramirez of Gioia Mia; Andrew Riccatelli of The Morris Proper; Tom Silvestri of ORA; and Sean Yan of Ram & Rooster.
Chefs Jamie Knott and Ryan DePersio will return as gala co-chairs.
Knott, a Table to Table trustee, owns Saddle River Inn, Saddle River Cafe, Cellar 335 and Madame. DePersio is chef and partner at Battello, Kitchen Step, Ember & Eagle and TillingHouse.
The gala also will recognize the late Elisabeth Durbetaki, Emil and Debbie Iannone, and Ilene Isaacs as new members of Table to Table’s Founder’s Table. Established in 2023 by founder Claire Insalata Poulos, the recognition honors people, businesses and foundations that have provided significant support to the organization.
Crossroads Companies will receive the 2026 Mission Impact Award.
Founded in 1999, Table to Table collects fresh and perishable food that otherwise could go to waste and delivers it free of charge to food pantries, shelters, senior centers, child care programs and other community organizations.
Table to Table says it works with approximately 466 food donors and delivers to 276 community partners in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris and Passaic counties. Since its founding, the Saddle Brook-based nonprofit says it has rescued nearly 133,300 tons of food—enough to provide more than 266 million meals.
Tickets and additional information are available at tabletotable.org/chefsgala2026.