Superstar chef David Burke — pictured at right, with former Ama Ristorante owner Pat Trama during post-Sandy relief efforts in Sea Bright — has created a special menu for As It Grows, a September 13 benefit gala for Little Silver’s historic Parker Homestead. (File photo)Â
Press release from Parker Homestead 1665 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Come celebrate the American Farm at one of America’s oldest farmsteads — The Parker Homestead in Little Silver — on Saturday, September 13 at 6:30 pm. The event, titled “As It Grows . . ,” will feature a tribute to the local bounty of New Jersey with a one-time-only, farm-to-table menu created by celebrity chef David Burke. Â
The event, which will include music, dancing and a live auction conducted by Antiques Roadshow star Nicholas Dawes, will benefit The Parker Homestead – 1665, which is leading efforts to preserve the home, and The Monmouth County Historical Association, preserving Monmouth County history for last 115 years.
In addition to locally grown produce, meats, cheeses and specialty food products the event will feature New Jersey wines grown and harvested by 4JGs vineyards in Colts Neck. There will also be a rare, collectable wines donated from private wine collectors available at the Premium Wine Bar.
Dance music will be provided by Rip Tide and the Bobby Lynch Band. A silent auction and a live auction filled with unique items will be led by Dawes, from Heritage Auction Galleries in NYC.
“It’s a serious food and wine event with a fun, casual approach,” said Bob Sickles, co-chair of the event with Claire Knopf, President of Monmouth Historical Association. “This is going to be the premiere wine and food event of the year for the Two River community, and it’s great that it will benefit two very important charities with missions to preserve our rich heritage.”
Sickles, who is the owner of Sickles’ Market and president of the board of the Parker Homestead—1665, is also a direct descendant of the Parker clan, which owned and occupied the property for eight generations. In 1995, the last remaining family member, Julia Parker, deeded the home to the town of Little Silver on condition it be preserved and used for historical educational purposes.
The impressive menu below was created by David Burke, the Hazlet native whose many restaurants include the local landmark Fromagerie in Rumson. Renowned for using only the best seasonal ingredients to be found, Burke has applied his signature playful, creative approach to the menu, which also includes a Raw Bar by Lusty Lobster of Highlands, and a Farmstead Cheese Table by Sickles Market.
Cocktail Reception: Bacon Clotheslines with Pickled Carrot Garnish; Cheese”burker” Sliders; Quinoa Sliders; Pork Rilettes; Corn Panna Cotta Jars; Pig Trotter Terrine Spiced Apple; House Cured Lardo; Garden Conserva; Country Crostini; Chicken Lollipops.
Lusty Lobster Raw Bar: Wild Caught Sandy Hook Bay Clams; Wild Caught Delaware Bay Oysters; Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail; Jonah Crab Claws.
Sickles Market Cheese Table: Assorted Farmstead Jersey Cheeses including Long Valley Shepherd, Bobolink Dairy and Cherry Grove. Gourmet accompaniments and fruits.
“Local” Salad Station: Organic Kale Caesar Salad; Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Apples; Candies Pecans, Blue Cheese, Dried Cranberries; Fall Market Salad with Fixins’; Tomato Burrata Salad.
Fish Station: Barnegat Light Day Boat Scallops, Parsnip, Apple, Chanterelle, and Leek Fondue.
Pork Station: Porchetta Carving Station, Pineapple and Mustard Kraut, Quince, Lentils, Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Corn Bread Stuffing, Country Potato Salad.
Beef Station: Roast Prime Rib with Au Jus, Horseradish, Crème Fraiche and David Burke Steak Sauce.
Pasta Station: House Made Cavatelli, Sheep Milk Ricotta, Butternut Squash.
Dessert: Cotton Candy, Smokin’ Hot Doughnuts; Peach Pies.
The underwriters for the As It Grows. . . event are Brand Aromatics, The Mulheren Family, Pamela and Anthony Diaco and Farm Family. Tickets to the farm-to-table dinner, which will be held under a graceful, sweeping sailcloth tent, are $250 each. Dress is elegant casual. There also are sponsorship and underwriting opportunities available. Both individual tickets and sponsorships can be purchased on our website, AsItGrows.org, or by calling (732)462-1466.
Tickets for a 50/50 Raffle at $25 each are now available. Only 600 will be sold and three winning tickets will be drawn at the event. Winners need not be present to win. For raffle tickets  visit www.AsItGrows.org to purchase or mail a check payable to Monmouth County Historical Association to 70 Court Street, Freehold, NJ 07728. Purchasers’ stubs will be mailed to back to them.
