At Passion for Spices™, our cooking school has always been more than a place to learn to cook. It's a place to connect and break bread. This week, we were thrilled to open our doors to the Suburban Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals Networking Group, welcoming a wonderful mix of young professionals (and not-so-young professionals) from local and neighboring communities and businesses. Guests had the opportunity to share their stories, forge new connections, and enjoy an evening of great conversation in a warm, flavorful setting.
This event was organized by the Suburban Chamber of Commerce, with a special thanks to Samantha T. Alfonso, who chairs this Young Professionals networking series for making it such a memorable gathering.
A Commitment to Community
At Passion for Spices™, our passion extends well beyond culinary education. We are deeply committed to the local community and the businesses that make our towns thrive. Our CEO and Founder, May Fridel, also serves as Vice Chair of the Suburban Chamber of Commerce — a role that reflects her belief that strong communities are built one relationship at a time.
Passion for Spices™ is a cooking school, team-building destination, and organic spice purveyor rooted right here in Summit, NJ. From hands-on adult cooking classes and corporate team-building events to kids' programs and private cooking experiences, everything we do is guided by sustainable practices and a celebration of global culinary traditions. Our mission is to provide a platform to break bread with local communities, including our business community, while sharing the knowledge of good food.
Learn more at www.passionforspices.com
📍 31 Woodland Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
📞 (908) 380-0644
About the Suburban Chamber of Commerce
The Suburban Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business for the communities of Summit, Berkeley Heights, and New Providence in Northern Union County, New Jersey. Established in 1917, the Chamber has been a cornerstone of the local business community for over a century, connecting businesses, fostering growth, and strengthening ties between entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders.
Whether you're a seasoned executive or just starting your professional journey, the Suburban Chamber offers a wealth of networking opportunities, resources, and events — including signature programs like First Friday breakfast gatherings and Wine Down Wednesday after-hours networking — all designed to help you grow your business and your network.
Learn more at www.suburbanchambers.org
📍 24 Beechwood Road, Suite 229, Summit, NJ 07902
📞 (908) 522-1700
✉️ info@suburbanchambers.org
Follow the Suburban Chamber of Commerce on social media:
Special Thanks to Our Guests
Our evening was kicked off by our Suburban Chamber of Commerce Chair, introducing the Young Professionals Networking Chair Samantha Alfonso, and James Kwan of Ace Pension Solutions, LLC . We were honored to have members of the Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce (GWACC) join us for the evening, including Mario Cesario, who serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors. Their participation is a testament to the spirit of cross-community collaboration that events like this are all about. Everyone who attended had to opportunity to share their story and showcase their business. We look forward to hosting our next event where we will engage more businesses and professionals.
Everyone enjoyed the spread of delicious appetizers from the Passion For Spices™ team. Also Jason Udrija, owner of Celestino's Pizza & Ristorante provided some of his popular bites, including his fan-favorite pizza pinwheels. Adam Brown of The Adam M. Brown Law Group, LLC, one of our board members generously provided the wine as well. Many thanks to everyone that made this evening a big success!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening. We look forward to continuing to be a gathering place for our community — one spice, one story, and one connection at a time.
To stay up to date on events, cooking classes, and more at Passion for Spices, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or visit passionforspices.com.