Confrerie de la Chaine Des Rotisseur

Rain Doesn’t Dampen Sizzling Summer Barbecue

July 17, 2005

By Ernest Jaeger, Charge de Presse Provincial du Mid-Atlantic, Honoraire

             The summer rains that brought more humidity into Central Jersey certainly didn’t dampen our spirits one bit!   Host Chef Rotisseur Scott Lahey simply moved the barbecue indoors at the North Maple Inn at Basking Ridge where he is the executive chef.   More that 70 members and their guests didn’t mind, especially since the wonderful aromas of the barbecue buffet greeted us as we made our way into the dining room.

            Lahey had been working on this event for months, even brewing his own ales and lagers for the event.  His Chef Scott’s Summer Ale and North Maple Lager were just the thirst quenchers we needed.  The libations assured a great event.   Lahey has entertained the bailliage here before so he prepared some of our favorite dishes.  Succulent and tender with a rich combination of Middle Eastern flavors, The Moroccan beef brisket still brought raves from the crowd.   The tea smoked rotisserie duck was another delicious favorite that Lahey was good enough to present again.  

            However, the show stopper was Lahey’s presentation of the suckling pig that had spent hours over the embers.   Carrying the large tray displaying the pig, Lahey paraded around the room with an apple in his mouth, adding to the afternoon’s good humor.

            Guests could still choose from other barbecue classics such as hot dogs, burgers, sausage, and Boston baked beans. Lahey updated other classics like the three cabbage maple cole slaw and the proscuitto and parmesan past salad.    As finale, colorful presentations of fruit kebobs, watermelon, chocolate fondue, and min pastries greeted the guests.  Guests created a well worn path to the buffets.

            With the end of the afternoon, Balli Robin Jacobs brought out Lahey and his kitchen brigade for the bailliage’s sincere thanks.   To the applause of all, Jacobs presented Lahey with a Chaine plate.   Lahey and his staff managed to turn the afternoon showers into sunshine with the superb food, creativity, and fine service.

**menu

Sizzling Summer Barbecue

July 17, 2005

North Maple Inn

Basking Ridge, New Jersey

Slow Roasted Pig

Moroccan Beef Brisket

Smoked Duck

Grilled Escolar with Coconut Chili Glaze

Roasted Vegetables

Grilled Hamburgers, Hot Dogs and Sausages

Three Cabbage Maple Cole Slaw

Proscuitto and Parmesan Pasta Salad

Real Boston Baked Beans

Pepper Jack Corn Bread

Fruit Kabobs

Watermelon

Chocolat Fondu

Mini Pastries

Chef Scott’s Summer Ale; North Maple Lager;

Tenuta Nanfro ; Pian Della Villa ; Curtofranco Bianco ;

Strawberry Aqua Fresca

 Remembering Edmund Mancusi-Ungaro

By Ernest Jaeger, Charge de Presse Provincial du Mid-Atlantic Honoraire

During the afternoon of our summer barbecue, Bailli Robin Jacobs and Bailli Provincial George Muller took a moment to remember our confrere and good friend Edmund Mancusi-Ungaro, Commandeur/Pair des U.S.A., and Director Emeritus des U.S.A.   Jacobs had presented Mancusi-Ungaro with the Conseil de Honour just three days before he passed away during the week before this summer event.  

Mancusi-Ungaro held membership in the Chaine for more than fifty years, beginning with the New Jersey (Montclair) chapter and joining the Hunterdon-Princeton chapter when he and his wife Louise moved to Watchung three years ago.   He served as an officer in the Chaine on the local, regional and national levels for more than 38 years.

His career as an attorney in Montclair spanned 46 years and included service on Governor Robert Meyner’s ethnics committee.

 Mancusi-Ungaro embodied the generous friendship and fellowship of the Chaine.  Even in a wheel chair at our holiday brunch in December, Mancusi-Ungaro was still the life of the party, entertaining those at his table with wonderful stories and calling out to his many friends.    He seemed to remember everything about his years in the organization, even the time decades ago when he inducted the late Dr. Robert Green into the organization using a stick while they were standing in the Egyptian desert.

In her tribute to Mancusi-Ungaro, Jacobs said, “His wit, experience and camaraderie will be sorely missed.  He was a very special person and those of us who knew him will never forget him.”