Toms River, NJ –The Ocean County Foundation for Vocational Technical Education announced that the 29th Annual International Chefs’ Night Out was a roaring success. The event was held at the RWJBarnabas Health Arena, 1245 Old Freehold Rd, Toms River, NJ on Monday, March 2, 2026. The event’s proceeds exceeded $84,000 to fund student scholarships and grants for OCVTS instructional equipment and technology.

The evening included over 40 food, dessert and beverage vendors from around Ocean County, providing endless options for an incredible evening of sweet and savory sampling. The OCVTS Culinary team was on site, serving their culinary masterpieces alongside their chef instructors. An incredible gift auction featuring over $48,000 in cash and prizes was held, along with a mega 50/50 raffle valued at over $9,000. Doug Baker of Design 446 was the winner of the mega 50/50 raffle and took home $4,475

The Chef’s Night Out Fundraising event started in 1996 and has become the foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The Foundation was established in 1994 to help ensure a quality education for the students of Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS). It was formed by a group of corporate and community leaders in Ocean County and provides funding through scholarships for OCVTS students and grants which allows OCVTS instructors and staff to purchase equipment and materials to enhance their training curriculum.

“The 29th Annual Chefs’ Night Out was a huge success and I want to thank everyone responsible for making this an unforgettable event for our district. Our Chefs’ Night Out Team outdid themselves. Whether you attend as a guest, volunteered, sponsored, or were a vendor, you are the reason so many students will have the chance to receive a scholarship to attend OCVTS, and make their dream a reality. You are the ‘Dream Makers’ and I am humbled by your support”, said OCVTS Foundation Event Coordinator Annie Sayers. “We are so proud to be able to provide our students with the best education possible.”

Restaurants & Vendors in Attendance:
A&A Distributors-WINE, B2 Bistro & Bar, Bacchus Winemaking Club, Bahama Breeze, Battle River Brewing, Berkeley Cut Steakhouse, Birdmouth Beer, Blue Claws, Bonefish, Breeze's Dock Bar & Grill, Broadway Giant Bagels, Buffalo Wild Wings, Capone's, Community Medical Hospital, Craft Beverages of Canada/Flying Monkeys, Dela Cuccina, Fedway, Four Season's, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Garden State Distillery, Harrogate, Icarus Brewing Company, JBJ Soul Kitchen, Half Moon Point, Coastal Canteen, Harpoon Willy's, JG Desserts, Joe Bella's, Klee's Bar & Grill, Henry's, Mahana Fresh, Nothing Bundt Cakes, OB-Cos Donuts, OCVTS Bakery, OCVTS Cuisine on the Green, OCVTS Culinary, Ohana Grill, Pinelands Brewery, Rosie's, The Office Lounge, The Waterfront.

Event Sponsors:
Atlantic Marine Elec, Brielle Orthopedics, Brick Layer/Mason Local 5 BAC Administrative District Council, Bright Harbor, Brown & Brown, Camping World, Carlucci, Leone, Dimon, Doyle & Sacks, Carpenters Union Local 255, CBIZ Insurance, Citta Foundation, Coty Marine, D'Onofrio Foundation, Earle, Eastern Shore, Epic Developers, Esposito Construction, First Onsite, Frank Sadeghi, Holman, Frenia, Allison, PC, IBEW 400, Kiwanis, Lester Glenn, Manasquan Bank, Riverview Landscaping, Michael J. Wright, Morgan Engineering, Netwave, NJNG, NJR Home Services, OCC Foundation/OCC, Ocean County Tourism, Ocean First, Pit Bull, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 9, RC Shea & Assoc, Robert Love (In Honor Of), Rosetto Realty, RWJ Barnabas Health, Spiezle, Citta Foundation, Veolia Water, Viking, and Yezzi.

Ocean County Vocational Technical School offers over 30 career training programs for high school students and adults. Visit www.ocvts.org for information about all of the programs and services offered at OCVTS. OCVTS is accepting applications for September classes. Discover how OCVTS can be a part of your future! Follow OCVTS on twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.


Photo Credits
Ocean County Vocational Technical School's Design & Visual Communications Students