CPC's Culinary Adventure Serves Up Fantastic Food, Fun and Friends

This year, CPC's Culinary Adventure served up some of the best cuisine created by Monmouth County chefs. If you weren't a foodie before you walked into the Sheraton Eatontown on Oct. 26th, you certainly were after sampling gourmet fare, delectable desserts and local wines from 27 participating vendors. Over $31,000 in net proceeds from this deliciously successful special event, hosted by the CPC Foundation, will provide behavioral health services to children, teens and adults in need. Each year CPC provides subsidized care to over 2,000 economically disadvantaged individuals who would otherwise be unable to get treatment to recover their mental health.

From left, CPC Behavioral Healthcare Board of Trustees Chair-elect Geoffrey Sadwith of Ocean CPC President & CEO John Mans of Brick and CFO Dan Burns of Point Pleasant support the Agency's outstanding evening filled with fabulous food, fun and friends. This year, CPC provided life changing programs and services to over 7,000 children, teens and adults.

Culinary Adventure coordinating committee Co-chairs Pat Geiss of Little Silver, Jane Guadagno of West Long Branch and Debbie Nissim of Ocean Township chaired a four-star event. Celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2010, CPC is a leader in helping people of all ages and their families successfully manage or recover from depression, mental illness, substance abuse, or disabilities that impact learning.

Volunteers Linda Lees (left), Monmouth Beach, and Mary Finan, Ocean Township, sell quilt raffle tickets for "Baltimore's Country Cousin,". This quilt was the 23rd textile masterpiece created by the volunteer CPC Quilters.

In between bites, guests enjoyed the night's festivities like the Silent Auction co-chaired by Carol Dedrick, Middletown, and Patty Chiafullo, West Allenhurst, as well as the Gift Auction and Quilt Raffle.

Janet Giunco, owner of Four JG's Winery in Colts Neck showcased its locally grown wines to 300 attendees. Four JG's Winery has participated in CPC's Culinary Adventure since it started in 2004.

CPC employee Cindy Valentine of Ocean volunteered to sell restaurant gift certificates for Gem of an Idea in Fair Haven, Winters Furs in Red Bank, Goldtinker in Rumson, Bay Avenue Trattoria in Highlands, Dearborn Market in Holmdel, Doris & Ed's in Highlands, Gaetano's Italian Cuisine in Red Bank, Market in the Middle in Asbury Park, Restaurant Nicholas in Red Bank, Salt Creek Grille in Rumson, Tuzzio's Italian Cuisine in Long Branch and Via 45 in Red Bank. These restaurants & merchants donated 20% of their gift certificate sales to the CPC Foundation.

The 2009 CPC Culinary Adventure showcased: Bay Avenue Trattoria in Highlands; The Chocolate Carousel in Wall; Clover Hill Coffee Roasters in Colts Neck; CMSC Spirits; Concord Cafe' at the Sheraton Eatontown; Cravings Gourmet Desserts in Allenhurst; Dearborn Market in Holmdel; Doris & Ed's Seafood Restaurant in Highlands; Drew's Bayshore Bistro in Keyport; Four JG's Winery in Colts Neck; Gaetano's Italian Cuisine in Red Bank; Island Margaritas; The Lake House in Loch Arbour; Market in the Middle in Asbury Park; The Melting Pot in Red Bank; Omaha Steaks; The Oyster Point in Red Bank; Piccola Italia in Ocean; Richard's Deli in Long Branch; Shore Point Distributing Co. in Freehold; Suzi's Sweet Shoppe in Middletown; The Shipwreck Grill in Brielle; Via 45 in Red Bank; Whole Foods Market in Middletown; The Wine Room in Manalapan; and more.

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CPC Behavioral Healthcare, founded in 1960, will be celebrating 50 years of community service in 2010. CPC is a leading provider of highly skilled and compassionate behavioral healthcare in Monmouth County. The Agency is a lifeline to individuals living with depression, mental illness, substance abuse, or disabilities that impact learning. Its three counseling centers and K-12 special education schools provide services that promote wellness, recovery and productive lives. For more information, visit www.cpcbehavioral.org and www.highpointschool.org.