Press release from Brookdale Community College
The Joe Romanowski Culinary Education Foundation (JOCEF) is currently accepting applications for 2016-2017 scholarships. Monmouth and Ocean County residents enrolled in the culinary or baking programs at the Culinary Education Center at Brookdale Community College are eligible. After completing a written application and essay, selected finalists will move on to a hands-on cooking demonstration.
Scholarships will be awarded to students of the Culinary Education Center, the collaboration between Brookdale Community College and the Monmouth County Vocational School District. Funds for JOCEF scholarships are raised through donations and JOCEF”s annual “Recipe for Success” gala fundraiser.
On Monday, March 14, the gala will be held at the Navesink Country Club in Middletown. The event features tastings from over 25 of the Jersey Shore’s finest restaurants, a chance auction, 50/50, wine pull raffle, the opportunity to taste rare wines by the glass and a display of food prepared by scholarship recipients and students at the Culinary Education Center in Asbury Park.
The Joe Romanowski Culinary Education Foundation was established in the memory of Joseph Romanowski, who mentored and nurtured many of the Jersey Shore’s finest up-and coming chefs. Romanowski was a resident of Eatontown. He was the chef and owner of the highly acclaimed restaurants, Maggie & Joe’s Bistro in Long Branch and Bay Ave Trattoria in Highlands. JOCEF is a 501c3 not-for-profit foundation.
Karen Farrell, a JOCEF board member said, ”In the first two years, JOCEF raised $35,000. In the first year, three students were awarded scholarships. In the second year, four students were awarded. Now in our third year, we hope to keep increasing the number of scholarships we can award each year, thanks to generous support from the community.”
Scholarship applications can be downloaded at the JOCEF Facebook page. The deadline for applications is Monday, January 25, 2016.
Follow JOCEF on Facebook and on Twitter @JOCEFNJ for updates on scholarships and tickets for the 2016 gala.
