RVC Chamber of Commerce Hosts 'A Taste of Elegance'

Rockville Centre residents and business owners gathered together Saturday night for the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce’s annual "A Taste of Elegance" event.

More than 20 businesses participated in the event at the St. Agnes Parish Center, during which guests could sample signature dishes from restaurants around the village.

In addition to the wide and diverse selection of food, attendees were treated to live music by the band Ace and took part in raffles and a Chinese auction.

“Tonight has been a great success,” Chamber of Commerce President Lawrence Siegel said. “The people that came were amazing. We sold 300-plus tickets prior to the event door. The staff was prepared, the people were out there working and everybody did an excellent job.”

The honorees for the night were Beth Hammerman, chairwoman of the Rockville Centre Youth Council, and Jeff Novack, owner of J. Novack Design.

“This year’s honorees are great,” Siegel said. “Beth Hammerman, who’s in charge of the Youth Council, is out there everyday trying to help those children. Kids get work and stuff to do to keep them off the street and the job she does is outstanding.”

“Jeff Novack has been my right arm since I’ve been in this chamber of commerce,” Siegel added. “He’s there every single time I need him and he’s definitely a great honoree to have.” 

The Rockville Centre Youth Council is an independent tax-exempt nonprofit organization that aims to provide teens with activities that are safe and substance-abuse free.

“I’m very excited," Hammerman said. “I’m very happy for the youth council. I think that it has taken a long time to get us up and going, but now we have full recognition.”

J. Novack Design is a full service interior design business that has operated since 1978. Novack was responsible for decorating the Parish Center for the evening’s festivities.

“I’m a very lucky man,” Novack said. “I’m here with wonderful, wonderful people and life is good.”