Restaurant Gala Mission
The Atlantic Cape Restaurant Gala was established in 1984 to raise scholarship funds for students in the state’s largest culinary school, the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College. The Academy opened in 1981 to prepare highly skilled workers for the growing regional hospitality industry and has graduated over 4,000 students. All proceeds go to the Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit charity organization, and support scholarships for ACA students and Foundation operations.
Party with a purpose! Since its inception in 1984, the Atlantic Cape Restaurant Gala has raised well over $3.8 million for student scholarships. Your participation and support enables the Atlantic Cape Foundation to continue to support worthy culinary arts students and Foundation operations. Thank you for your support!
For more information about the Restaurant Gala, please contact Kristin Jackson at kjackson@atlanticcape.edu or (609) 463-3621.
2023 Ruby Restaurant Gala Committee
CO-CHAIRS
- Terry Budd '78 - Retired, Atlantic Cape Community College and Foundation Board member
- Christopher Mularz '01 - Atlantic County Department of Planning and Development
STEERING COMMITTEE
- Ed Blake (Honorary Member) - Blake & Associates
- Leigh Chairman - Spencers Gifts
- Fran Coppola - Historic Towne of Smithville
- Karen Dalbora '92 - Renault Winery & Resort
- Sarah Fertsch - Shore Local Newsmagazine
- James Hennessey '00 - Aramark, Lincoln Financial Field
- Greg Koshland - Caesars Entertainment
- Janet Markowitz - Chester's Plant and Flowers
- Chef Joseph Massaglia - Mama Mia's Ristorante
- Brian Sena - Caesars Entertainment
- Hugh Turner - Atlantic Cape Foundation
- John "Scannicchio" Varalli - Scannicchio's Restaurant
- Sybil Victor - Atlantic City Fire Department
- Dennis Vrba - Harrah's Resort Atlantic City
- Kailin Wise '03 - Ocean Casino Resort
ATLANTIC CAPE TEAM
- Laura Batchelor - Executive Director, Marketing & College Relations
- Suzanne Haggerty - Advancement Database Manager
- Deena Happersett - Graphic Designer, Marketing & College Relations
- Kristin Jackson '09 - Senior Manager, Advancement, Alumni, & Foundation Events
- Erin Mercer - Manager, Social Media and Public Relations
- Allison Molineaux - Assistant, Advancement/Faculty Support
- Nicole Thompson - Manager, Advertising & Marketing
- Gracellen Thorstensen - Executive Asst., Office of the President/Board of Trustee Operations and Advancement
- David Zuba '18 - Public Relations Manager and Copywriter
EX-OFFICIO
- Dr. Barbara Gaba - Atlantic Cape Community College President
- James Rutala - President, Atlantic Cape Foundation
- Jean McAlister - Executive Director, Atlantic Cape Foundation
- Joseph Sheridan '96 - Interim Director, ACA and Hospitality Management
- Jeffrey Wenzel - Associate Director, Atlantic Cape Foundation
