Tag Archives: Soul Food Dinner

Focus: Fair Haven Food & Folks for the Soul

The Fair Haven Fiske AME Chapel Soul Food Dinner was deemed a success after only a couple of hours — by 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, to be exact.

Oh, the folks at the church may have been a bit worn out by then, but they were still cooking in more ways than one. Even though the ribs sold out completely, chicken was still in the fryer and 66 dinners had been sold. The side dishes were “wiped out,” gone, they said.

It’s no wonder people clamor to feast on the food for this dinner. Sonia Reevey, forever congregant and Fair Havenite, told us the secret is that there is no secret other than good, old fashioned home-cooked food made from special family recipes. “Everyone makes their special dish,” she said. “That’s all. That’s all it takes. We all have something special to cook.”

The ribs, she said, went right away. We were told that the not-so-secret secret to that recipe was a dry rub left overnight in the fridge, then slow baking and special barbecue sauce.

Missed that special treat. But, there was plenty of chicken and the cooks insisted that we try it fresh out of the cast iron skillet. Delicious. Crispy and warm on the outside and moist on the inside. Simple. The seasoning and coating were simple. Nothing overdone.

Call it food fit for the nourishment of the soul. There’s nothing complicated about it. That’s been the recipe for everything at the chapel since the dawn of time in Fair Haven. Hometown comfort food and friends.

Take a look at the photo gallery for a glimpse into the day.

— Elaine Van Develde

The R-FH Area Weekend: Tiki, St. Patrick, Soul Food & Ducks

The weekend event plate in the Rumson-Fair Haven area is overflowing with Tiki, soul and Irish food and fundraising festivities — and ducks. Yes, ducks.

Friday

• Friday night, tonight, marks the second fundraiser for the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The evening kicks off at Molly Maguire’s pub on River Road at 8 p.m. For a $10 cover, there will be a buffet of Irish food, bagpipers and music by the Bloody Callan Band.

Saturday

• On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rumson Police Chief Scott Paterson is serving as honorary chair of the Second Annual Two River Exhibition of Sporting Collectible Art at Rumson’s Forrestdale School.

Admission is $5; and children under 12 are admitted free.

The exhibit will feature artisans from the mid-Atlantic region, such as Jamie Hand, their duck decoys and demonstrations on how they are crafted.

Pottery and other art, such as oil, acrylic and watercolor nature paintings will also be featured.

• The Fisk Chapel AME Church in Fair Haven is hosting its Soul Food Dinner at 38 Fisk St. from noon “until the food runs out” on Saturday.

Admission is $15 for a chicken, fish or pig feet dinner and all the fixings, such as collard greens, cabbage, corn bread, rolls, green beans, candied yams, potato and macaroni salads, mac and cheese, sweet potato pie and cake.

Folks are invited to either eat in or take out. Call 732-737-4951 for place orders for pick-up.

• On Saturday evening from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Fair Haven, The Foundation of Fair Haven is hosting its first luau dubbed Tiki Haven.

Touted as a tropical fun night full of warmth-inspired festivities, a $50 admission price will get you luau-type food, roasted pig, beer and wine, music and dancing.

Organizers invite all to come in tropical attire and possibly win a prize. Tiki Haven is a fundraiser for future Fair Haven Days.

Sunday

• The tradition continues with the countdown to the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade with a tree lighting in Victory Park from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The event kicks off the new tradition of “lighting the town green” when the laser switch on the large evergreen in the park is flipped.

The event will also feature refreshments, music and storytelling.