The Japanese restaurant was one of dozen food establishments that were participating in the Tour of the Towns Food Tasting, a fundraiser for Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, OLMCS. Unlike the people standing behind the other tables, Rossetto is not a chef, manager, or owner

The self-titled "helper" is actually a frequent and fervent customer – and OLMCS parent - who stops in for sushi several times a week. So it was with an air of expertise that she prepared the sushi rolls, dripping on soy sauce and pickled ginger, for the sometimes-reluctant tasters.

The sushi selection was beginner-friendly, no eel or octopus, and as Rossetto noted, "It is a great way to expose people to it without having to order a complete meal."

She added, "There is more than sushi at a Japanese restaurant."

For those who prefer their fish thoroughly cooked, Denville Seafood’s Codmother’s Café offered two preparations of tilapia – one with lemon caper sauce and another with craisins and raisins, as well as mussels Fra Diablo.

Caffé NaVona made jumbo shrimp champagne in a cream sauce with cucumber-mango salsa and port wine reduction right at the table. Attendees could watch the chef as he cooked the shrimp. Noting that it is one of the Rockaway restaurant’s signature dishes, co-owner Marco De Filippis said this gave people a chance to glimpse what it is like to cook at the restaurant.

"It is like a mini class," he said.

There were also plenty of non-seafood entrees as well. The Heritage Grill, located in Denville, offered grilled chicken and asparagus as well as its popular autumn dish, pumpkin sage ravioli

The Eccola Italian Bistro served lasagna classica, chicken arrabiata, and creamy polenta. Daniel Enriquez, manager of the Parsippany eatery, said, "They are sample dishes that really signify what we do, what people enjoy in the restaurant."

And what meal would be complete without dessert? Providing the sweet treats were Cookie Expressions and Mara’s Country Desserts, with its self-roasted coffee and popular pies and cakes, among them cheesecake, peanut butter silk pie, and carrot cake.

Co-chairs of the fundraiser, Andrea Green and Jennifer Nathan, said that they did not have much trouble finding restaurants agreeable to taking part in the event. Green observed, "Some of Morris County’s finest restaurants are here and it is a nice variety." Adding, "We wanted restaurants people could frequent."

Calling it a "win-win" situation, Nathan observed that the eateries get exposure and the Boonton school, which has students from pre-K to eighth grade, gains money to enhance educational programs.

About 135 tickets were sold, bringing in $6,750. The school’s principal, Gladys Driscoll said the money will go to improving the science labs for the middle school students and expanding access of laptop computers to the lower grades. It will also go to enhancing the pre-K and kindergarten humanities program that includes art, music, Spanish, computer and library science instruction.

"The more we have to spend, the better it will be. Programs like this add to Mt. Carmel," said Driscoll.

People attended the gastronomical gala for many reasons. Greg Benson, of Boonton Township, was there in part because he lives next door to Green, and because his wife is a Mt. Carmel alumna.

"We would have made a donation even if this didn’t happen, so it’s a good thing," he said.

Nina Persson-Reed of Montville was there to support the school where both her children attend. The event served as an introduction to many of the restaurants. Not only does she now plan to visit some of them, but also she said, "I would consider a few for catering purposes as well." Her favorite dish of the evening: Caffé NaVona’s shrimp.

Boonton Township’s Joan Lionetti, who favored the rack of lamb from La Cucina in Denville, was enjoying a night out with several of her neighbors.

Days later, Green reflected upon the evening saying, "What [Nathan and I] enjoyed most was the amazing variety of samples that the restaurants offered, and also seeing how much the guests enjoyed themselves and, of course, the delicious food. We have gotten such positive feedback from those that attended, as well as from the restaurants that participated. A wonderful night was had by all!"

If you missed the event, fear not; another food tasting is planned for October.

As for the sushi, Rossetto did inspire at least one new fan. Boonton resident, Carolyn Reed said, "I never had sushi before in my life and I tried it and I loved it. I’ll have it again."