Davida Rosenblum, Concetta Esposito, Eliana Pisetzner, Melissa Rosenblum, Jessica Fama, and Stephanie Albright-Pedrick greet Television Personality, Chef and Author Carla Hall (center) who served as the keynote speaker at the 27th Annual Women’s Forum on June 9th. The event raised more than $90,000 to benefit Greater Atlantic City Charities including Jewish Family Service, CASA, Boys & Girls Club and Atlantic City Day Nursery. (Photo provided by the Greater Atlantic City Charities)

ATLANTIC CITY – Nearly 350 guests attended the 27th annual Women’s Forum to see and listen to television personality, chef and author Carla Hall share stories and experiences from growing up in Nashville, Tenn., the launch of her impressive show business career, and the importance of creating a platform to support community organizations. The afternoon event at the Golden Nugget Hotel Casino and Marina raised more than $90,000 to benefit Greater Atlantic City Charities, including Jewish Family Service, CASA, Boys & Girls Club, and Atlantic City Day Nursery.

Guests enjoyed a delicious lunch and the opportunity to bid on nearly 100 auction items, including a golf foursome at the Galloway National Golf Club, Melissa Manchester show tickets at Resorts, cocktail party for 10 with Nobil Catering, Michael Kors and Coach designer handbags, jewelry, spa packages, dining certificates, shopping gift cards, wine baskets and more.

“We were delighted to have Carla Hall as this year’s distinguished speaker at the Women’s Forum,” Co-chair Brett Matik said. “To be able to listen to how her early upbringing influenced her personal life, career goals and commitment to community was genuine and heartwarming. After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, it was nice to be able to get together and support some hardworking organizations.”

Hall is well known as a former co-host of the Emmy Award winning foodie and lifestyle show, “The Chew.” In addition, she has competed on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and “Top Chef: All Stars” and served as a judge on the Food Network’s “Halloween Baking Championship. She has also authored the cookbooks, “Cooking with Love: Comfort Food That Hugs You,” “Comfort Food: Favorite Dishes from Around the World” and “Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration.” A trained chef, Hall taught classes at CulinAerie and her alma mater, L’Academie de Cuisine. For more than 20 years, she has also owned a catering company, Alchemy by Carla Hall.

A community advocate, she is active in Helen Keller International and Smithsonian National Museum for African American History and Culture, where she serves as the culinary ambassador for Sweet Home Café.

The Women’s Forum is a completely volunteer organization and 100% of the proceeds are donated directly to local charities.

TV personality, chef and author Carla Hall at the 27th annual Women’s Forum luncheon.

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Nanette LoBiondo Galloway

Award winning journalist covering news, events and people of Atlantic County for more than 20 years.