As we say “so long” to the really lovely summer of 2015, anticipation of Autumn and all that it may bring begins to heighten. Once the day after Labor Day arrives, business and events kick into high gear. So let’s get started by enjoying enjoying delicious food to support two excellent organizations that in their diversity will appeal to all kinds of tastes.

First, if you are into ribs, wow, is this event for you. It’s the 6th Annual Charity Barbecue Festival in Rockland County, this year benefiting United Hospice of Rockland.  Amateur rib chefs and their special sauces and rubs fly in from all over, laden down with serious cookers and smokers and special ingredients to compete in the annual championship. The winner of this year’s competition gets to choose the charity that will be the beneficiary of next year’s proceeds.

I actually had the opportunity to be part of a preliminary, un-official judging of rib recipes by one team that will be participating this year. 11 ribs later, with numbers tallied, our small but mighty team of testers chose the recipe (and gave copious rib recipe notes) to the team known as RITIS (“Rub It Till It Smokes”).

Yup, a sample of the ribs we tested for the RITIS team.

No matter which team wins, you can be sure it will be a fun day for the whole family and certainly will provide helpful resources for United Hospice of Rockland.

The 6th Annual Charity Barbecue Festival happens Saturday, Sept 19 from 12 to 6 PM at 61 Hunt Road, Orangeburg, NY. Get more details.

Now, for a completely different kind of food experience, SHARE Cancer Support presents their fabulous  “A Second Helping of Life” on Monday Sept. 21. It’s the breast and ovarian cancer support organization’s 12th annual event and it grows exponentially year after year. This is a foodie lover’s dream because it is a tasting event where you sample small plates prepared by the best female chefs in the New York area with assistance by “sous-chefs”, celebrities from theatre, publishing, media and more.

You can meet, greet and be served by television personalities including Sade Baderinwa, Sara Gore and Tamsen Fadal, performers like Daphne Rubin-Vega, Kathleen Chalfant and Jessica Hecht, country artist Chely Wright and numerous other celebs. Chefs expected to be preparing signature dishes include Sarabeth Levine from Sarabeth’s, Jessica Weiss from Maialino, Angie Mar from The Beatrice Inn and many more brilliant culinary creators.

This will be my 10th year with Share participating as a sous-chef. I have had the great fortune to be paired with the fabulous Patti Jackson, who opened her own cozy eatery in Brooklyn and snagged a Michelin star her first year in operation. I adore working with Patti and her team and love the warm and friendly atmosphere at this amazing fundraising affair. I highly recommend coming out to support SHARE’s great and important work, and enjoy an evening of culinary delights, specialty cocktails and delicious wine. A Second Helping of Life takes place at stunning Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers. VIP reception begins at 6 and tasting starts at 7 PM. Get the details.