BY MARGARET MORGAN

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

On Saturday, June 23, the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) Health Group is hosting its Centennial Celebration Gala at the historic Chapel Beach Club in Sea Bright, culminating a yearlong series of events to commemorate the organization’s 100 years of service to the community,

Leading New Jersey artisans are joining in the celebration by contributing their talents to the gala event. The artisans include: Carlo’s Bakery, featured in TLC’s hit show “Cake Boss”; renowned event designers Craig Kiely and Darryn Murphy; and et al fine foods and events, adding their unique creative visions to the festive evening.

Carlo’s Bakery, a New Jersey institution since its 1910 founding in Hoboken, rocketed to national fame with the premiere of “Cake Boss” chronicling events in the lives of master baker Bartolo Jr. “Buddy” Valastro, as well as his family and colleagues at the bakery. Buddy’s cake designs have been featured on the “Today” show and in the pages of numerous publications including Modern Bride and The Knot.

Mauro Castano, Head Decorator at Carlos’s as well as Buddy’s right hand man and a favorite of “Cake Boss” fans, is known for his culinary genius and innovative creations and will transform layers of chocolate and vanilla cake with chocolate fudge filling into a bejeweled, multi-tiered confection commemorating the noble history of VNA Health Group. In describing the cake, Mauro says, “The cake will represent a timeline of VNA’s 100 years with edible chocolate figures depicting the evolution for every 25 years to the present day.”

Et al fine foods and events, New York City, is dedicated to superior service and hand crafted foods made from the freshest ingredients. Kimberly Ramin launched et al after twenty years of catering and event experience, designing menus for prestigious organizations such as the Central Park Conservancy, Vanity Fair Magazine, Esquire Magazine, The Whitney Museum and The Winter Antique Show. Some featured items on et al’s menu for the commemorative event include: Hors d’oeuvres - Watermelon & Goat Cheese Bites, Miniature Lobster Rolls and -Braised Short Rib Tacos with Manchego Cheese & Tomato Relish; Summer Tasting Plate of Asparagus, Crab & Artichoke Timbale and Jumbo Tomato Stack with Mozzarella; Entrée of Basil Crusted Filet of Beef, Soft Polenta with Mascarpone & fresh local corn; and Dessert – Meyer Lemon Drop Parfait and the Cake Boss’ Celebration Cake.

Event designers Craig Kiely and Darryn Murphy Designs, Allenhurst, describe their concept as a summery, yet elegant party. They plan to take the guests on a journey through time both visually and emotionally and make the party an experience from beginning to the finale with décor that has a visual "WOW" to it. Without giving away the surprise element of their design, a key focal point will be a custom massive giving tree that is made of natural elements and cascading flowers strategically placed within the center of the cocktail tent, making them strikingly visible upon entering the tent. Guests flow through the lobby and onto the back deck before entering the dinner tent, which will be ablaze with vibrant color accompanied by custom touches throughout that will acknowledge the centennial. The designers have created centerpieces of rich, lush flowers to fill each table, embracing the season and allowing guests to see beauty differently from table to table.

Darryn Murphy and Craig Kiely each spent over a decade honing their creative skills, working with leading event designers and prominent clients around the globe before joining forces to form Craig Kiely and Darryn Murphy Designs in 2008. Since then they have created unique atmospheres for clients such as Coca Cola, the Yankees and the Weather Channel and transformed a wide variety of venues including the Intrepid Museum, the American Museum of Natural History and Grand Central Station.