LIVE Virtual Cooking Demonstration Benefits the Oaks Food Pantries
Mount Holly, NJ, October 15, 2020- Come together for a virtual cooking demonstration LIVE from the kitchen of The Next Food Network Star Season 4 winner and host of Big Daddy’s House, Chef Aaron McCargo Jr. on October 22 at 7pm! The interactive event benefits the Oaks Food Pantries serving Camden, Burlington and Mercer Counties. Participants will prepare a delicious meal alongside Chef Aaron and co-host Marianne Aleardi of SJ Magazine from the comfort of their own homes.
Known for his passion for bold flavors, years of culinary experience and contagious smile, Chef Aaron can’t wait to share his passion for cooking with event attendees. Born and raised in Camden, Chef Aaron takes pride in giving back to the South Jersey community. He shares, “It has always been important to me to volunteer my time with nonprofits like Oaks that do so much great work in the city of Camden and throughout New Jersey.”
The mouthwatering recipe for the event features a Bold and Spicy Chicken and Sausage Gumbo paired with a Pantry Peach Sangria to celebrate the occasion. The ingredient list features staples that can be found in local food pantries. Registrants will receive the ingredient list prior to the event to ensure enough time for shopping and the first 100 registrants will receive a complimentary bottle of Chef Aaron’s signature sauce.
Chef Aaron even toured the Oaks Food Pantry to grab a few essential ingredients for the recipe. After the visit he shared, “Last week I stopped by pantry and saw firsthand how important it is to provide hunger relief to families struggling to put food on the table. These families need our help now more than ever and we can all do our part to give back.”
Oaks Chief Executive Officer Derry Holland explains, “As you can imagine, throughout the pandemic we have seen the need for our services spike. The families we serve are struggling to make ends meet, facing family struggles, job loss and financial troubles more than ever before. The cooking demo is an opportunity for our community to support one another while providing emergency hunger relief to those who need our help the most.”
Marianne Aleardi, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of SJ Magazine and event co-host, adds, “As an Oaks Board Member, I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Chef Aaron for such an amazing event. The number of people coming to the Oaks Food Pantries has doubled each month since the pandemic started so we’re encouraging community members to purchase tickets or make a donation to help keep the shelves stocked. While I might not be the world’s greatest cook, I’m looking forward to a fun night with lots of laughs to benefit a great cause.”
Contact Oaks Chief Development Officer Denise Soto at 609-267-5928 or denise.soto@oaksintcare.org for more details.
###
About Food Network Chef Aaron McCargo Jr.
Chef Aaron McCargo Jr. competed on and won season four of The Next Food Network Star, beating out thousands of culinary hopefuls for the ultimate dream job – his own Food Network show. Big Daddy’s House premiered and ranked as the number one “In the Kitchen” weekend show. On Big Daddy’s House, Aaron shared his passion for big, bold flavors and fun, family cooking. Aaron has also made appearances on hit Food Network shows such as The Best Thing I Ever Ate and Guy’s Grocery Games, and is a regular expert on Spike’s TV show, Bar Rescue and spin off Back to the Bar.
Aaron is also an author to the cookbook entitled, “Simply Done, Well Done” which entered bookstores nationwide offering up the delectable menu choices showcased on his series in an easy to prepare, simple way making his good cooking available in people’s kitchens everywhere. Aaron also launched a product line of spices thereby furthering his quest to make flavorful, bold foods available to everyone.
He has been featured on numerous national news programs including The Today Show, Regis and Kelly, Rachael Ray, The Talk, Dr. Oz, Steve and The Chew. His rise to fame has been covered everywhere from The New York Times to Essence Magazine where he was previously a contributing editor.
Aaron comes from a large family (he has five brothers and sisters) whose constant support has helped him achieve his goals. In his spare time, Aaron enjoys Bible study, tennis, Buffalo wings, watching sports, and traveling. He is a father of three and currently resides in South Jersey.
Connect with Chef Aaron:
Website – www.aaronmccargo.com
Facebook – @ChefMcCargoJr
Instagram – @chefmccargo
About Oaks Integrated Care
Oaks Integrated Care is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, adults and families living with a mental illness, addiction or developmental disability. The organization offers over 230 programs throughout New Jersey designed to meet the needs of the community with compassion. For more information, please visit www.oaksintcare.org or call the Development Office at 609-267-5928.
