Chef David Burke Sweetens the Season
by Robert Mitchell
Celebrity chef and restaurateur David Burke made sure this was a sweeter holiday season for families facing food insecurity by partnering with The Salvation Army’s New Jersey Division.
From Nov. 21 to 27, the seven days leading up to Thanksgiving, a percentage of proceeds were donated to The Salvation Army when customers purchased two of Burke’s signature desserts at his restaurants. The New Jersey Division, which provided 5.8 million meals to the needy in 2023 alone, said thousands of families and individuals are experiencing crushing food insecurity this holiday season.
The donation included 20% of sales from Burke’s To-Go Bag of Cookies at the Dixie Lee Bakery in Keansburg, The Fox & Falcon in South Orange, The GOAT in Union Beach, The French Market in Rumson, and Red Horse in both Bernardsville and Rumson.
Customers could also buy Burke’s very popular key lime pie at The Fox & Falcon, The GOAT, and both Red Horse locations in New Jersey, as well as Drifthouse in Sea Bright and Orchard Park in East Brunswick. The Salvation Army received 10% of those sales.
Hometown hero
“The Salvation Army New Jersey Division is thrilled to be partnering with legendary chef David Burke and his New Jersey restaurants,” said Major Brett DeMichael, general secretary of The Salvation Army’s New Jersey Division.
“Chef Burke truly understands the immense need to help fight food insecurity across the state. We thank him, his team, and the generous New Jerseyans who visit his restaurants, as their help will ensure that no one goes hungry this Thanksgiving and beyond.”
DeMichael was part of a small Salvation Army band that performed from 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 21 outside Burke’s Red Horse in Rumson. Joining DeMichael were Ronald Waiksnoris, the former bandmaster of the New York Staff Band; Major Carl Avery; and Nathan Power, director of music in the New Jersey Division.
Burke, who was born in Brooklyn but grew up in Hazlet, N.J., urged people to donate generously to The Salvation Army this holiday season.
“I have been a supporter of the Salvation Army New Jersey Division for a long time. They do the best work for our most vulnerable neighbors,” Burke said. “We all have seen their volunteer bell ringers during the holidays, but much of their critical work goes unseen all year long.”
Fan of the Army
Burke noted The Salvation Army’s work in emergency disaster assistance, addiction rehabilitation, food pantry and feeding programs, and so much more. “But what has impressed me the most,” he said, “is the way they carry out all these critical services with consistent boundless love. Please help me help them.”
Burke, a frequent media guest, is known for his appearances on the reality TV shows Iron Chef America and Top Chef Masters. He has won several culinary awards and authored two cookbooks. His website (chefdavidburke.com) describes him as “a restaurateur; artist; philanthropist; businessperson; author; educator; art collector; puppeteer; minister; doctor of business administration, honoris causa; and beekeeper.”
The famous chef and his David Burke Hospitality Management “operate or orchestrate the culinary component of 18 restaurants, a historic event venue and a bakery,” according to his website.
