Plusable

🥊 Talent takes work. Talent takes discipline. Talent takes sacrifice.

Young people chasing greatness deserve to be seen, supported, and celebrated — and Yoell Cooper is a true example of what happens when hard work meets purpose.

On June 6, Yoell steps into the ring at Prudential Center, representing youth, dedication, and the power of staying focused on a dream.

Let’s show up and support the next generation. Support the youth. Support the work behind the talent.

See you June 6. 👊🔥

Editorial photography by

🌍⚽️🍽️ 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗧. 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦.
𝗔 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧
𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗬

Savor Nelson Soares was honored to welcome Executive Chef Nelson Soares (), the internationally recognized culinary force behind SULT Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and SULT Cascais, Portugal whose work continues to elevate Portuguese and Brazilian gastronomy on the global stage.

Chef Nelson’s presence brought international culinary excellence to Newark while reinforcing something deeply important — food has the power to connect cultures, create opportunity, and build bridges across communities.

From engaging with culinary students and supporting local restaurants to participating in conversations shaping the future of food, hospitality, and global collaboration, Chef Nelson Soares embodied the spirit of what Savor Newark represents.

Thank you, Chef Nelson Soares, for sharing your talent, time, and passion with Newark. We are honored to have welcomed you to our city and grateful for your commitment to building global culinary connections.

𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 was done in partnership with • • • • • • • .restaurante • .cascais

Made possible by • • • • • • • • • • • •

Newark’s story deserves to be told — and we’re here to amplify it.

🍽️ by

🌍⚽️🍽️ GLOBAL COLLABORATION. LOCAL IMPACT.

During his visit to Newark for Savor Newark 2026 — thoughtfully curated and produced by Plusable and proudly presented by Invest Newark — Executive Chef Nelson Soares , the internationally recognized chef behind SULT Rio de Janeiro and .cascais, spent time with students at Newark Vocational High School’s Culinary Academy, reinforcing the importance of global collaboration, mentorship, and creating pathways of opportunity for the next generation.

Food has the power to connect cultures, open doors, and inspire opportunity. By creating international partnerships and exposing young culinary talent to global industry leaders, Newark continues to invest in workforce development while preparing its youth to compete on a global stage.

Initiatives like these strengthen meaningful connections between Newark and international culinary communities — helping position Newark as America’s Authentic Food Capital while creating opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.

The future of food starts with investing in young talent today, and that’s what fuels our passion.

A defining moment of 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 was the official signing of the 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 — a transformational initiative designed to create life-changing opportunities for Newark’s next generation of culinary talent.

Each year, two students and one teacher from the 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗩𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆 will travel to Cascais, Portugal, for a six-week culinary internship with Michelin-starred Chef .vieira.fernandes at — gaining global exposure, hands-on mentorship, and world-class culinary training.

This program represents more than education. It is an investment in young people, cultural exchange, and the belief that Newark talent belongs on the global stage.

This mentorship program is the result of a partnership made possible through the leadership, collaboration, and shared vision of Mayor Ras J. Baraka , the Municipality of Cascais , Food Lab Cascais Director Claudia Silva Mataloto, Fortaleza do Guincho , Michelin-starred Chef Gil Fernandes .vieira.fernandes, Newark Board of Education Superintendent Roger León, Newark Vocational High School Principal Karisa Neis-Lopez, Councilman Michael Silva , CEO Marcus Randolph, Ironbound Business Improvement District Executive Director Vince Baglivo and Plusable CEO Isabelle Coelho-Marques and COO Carlos Ferreira.

Together, we are creating pathways to opportunity and proving what is possible when communities invest in the future of their young people.

From 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗸, 𝗡𝗝 — 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 — 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱. Where local talent meets global opportunity.

The Most Flavorful World Cup Celebrations Kicked Off in Newark with 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, produced and thoughtfully curated by Plusable and proudly presented by .

The second edition of Savor Newark was an incredible success. The Essex County Cherry Blossom Welcome Center was filled with love, pride, passion, and community spirit as Newark came together to celebrate food, culture, and unity.

The 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗼 proudly showcased the diverse authenticity that defines Newark:
🇬🇭 Afro Taco
🇧🇷 Casa Nova Group
🇺🇸 The Brisket Guy
🇪🇨 Sabor Latino
🇪🇸 Casa d’Paco
🇵🇹 No Pão 100 Reservas

Different cultures. Different traditions. United by the same love for food, family, and community.

A defining moment of the day was the official signing of the Savor Newark Mentorship Program, creating life-changing opportunities by sending Newark Vocational High School students each year to Cascais, Portugal for a six-week internship with Michelin-starred Chef Gil Fernandes at Fortaleza do Guincho.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., Senator Teresa Ruiz, Councilman Michael Silva, Councilman Anibal Ramos and the Newark Board of Education Superintendent Roger Leon for their guidance and support.

A special thank you to the Municipality of Cascais and Food Lab for their partnership and commitment to creating life-changing opportunities for Newark’s youth through international collaboration.

Thank you as well to Chef Nelson Soares for sharing his inspiring journey and demonstrating how dedication, passion, and excellence led to recognition by the Michelin Guide for SULT in two countries (and two continents!!!) in just seven years.

A heartfelt thank you to our title sponsor and sponsors and ; , , , and

The Most Flavorful World Cup Celebrations Kicked Off in Newark with 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, produced and thoughtfully curated by Plusable and proudly presented by .

The second edition of Savor Newark was an incredible success. The Essex County Cherry Blossom Welcome Center was filled with love, pride, passion, and community spirit as Newark came together to celebrate food, culture, and unity.

The 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗼 proudly showcased the diverse authenticity that defines Newark:
🇬🇭 Afro Taco (Ghana)
🇧🇷 Casa Nova Group (Brazil)
🇺🇸 The Brisket Guy (United States)
🇪🇨 Sabor Latino (Ecuador)
🇪🇸 Casa d’Paco (Spain)
🇵🇹 No Pão 100 Reservas (Portugal)

Different cultures. Different traditions. United by the same love for food, family, and community.

A defining moment of the day was the official signing of the Savor Newark Mentorship Program, creating life-changing opportunities by sending Newark Vocational High School students each year to Cascais, Portugal for a six-week internship with Michelin-starred Chef Gil Fernandes at Fortaleza do Guincho.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Senator Teresa Ruiz, Councilman Michael Silva, Councilman Anibal Ramos and the Newark Board of Education Superintendent Roger Leon for their guidance and support.

A special thank you to the Municipality of Cascais and Food Lab for their partnership and commitment to creating life-changing opportunities for Newark’s youth through international collaboration.

Thank you as well to Chef Nelson Soares for sharing his inspiring journey and demonstrating how dedication, passion, and excellence led to recognition by the Michelin Guide for SULT in two countries in just seven years.

Thank you to our sponsors, partners, chefs, panelists, vendors, and every attendee who made this event possible.

Newark’s story deserves to be told — and we’ll continue to be here to amplify it.

InvestNewark TasteTheGame
:::

🌍⚽️🍽️ 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 is making waves all the way to Portugal. 🇵🇹

What started as a local vision rooted in Newark has evolved into an international culinary and cultural movement — connecting cities, chefs, institutions, and communities through the universal language of food.

From Rio de Janeiro to Newark to Cascais, relationships are being built, opportunities are being created, and global conversations are happening around the table.

This week, internationally acclaimed Chef Nelson Soares and leaders from Portugal join us in Newark as part of a growing collaboration that highlights the power of gastronomy, tourism, culture, and education.

𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗸 is proving that Newark belongs on the global stage. 🌎

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 • A Event

WorldCup2026 NewarkHappening Plusable InvestNewark CulinaryTourism TasteTheGame UnitedAtTheTable

🌍⚽️🍽️ 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝘂𝗽 — 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺

𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨

A special thank you to TAPinto Newark for the coverage of and continued support in helping amplify Newark’s story.

We are honored to serve as the City of Newark’s official kickoff to the FIFA World Cup celebrations — bringing together food, culture, business, tourism, and global community under one roof.

The world is watching — and Newark is ready. 🌍✨

📍 May 16, 2026 | 9:00AM – 6:00PM
📍 Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Branch Brook Park
🎟️ 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 — registration required
👉 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗞.𝗖𝗢𝗠

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆
𝗔 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁

🏆🎬 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚

“𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰: 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗼 — 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗢𝗱𝗱𝘀” has officially been recognized at the 𝗕𝗖𝗠𝗔 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 with:

🥇 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘅
🥇 Gold — Documentary & Fiction
🥈 Silver — Work for Good

A powerful and emotional documentary celebrating the journey, resilience, and legacy of basketball legend Ticha Penicheiro. 🏀✨🇵🇹

Plusable was proud to serve as field producers in the United States for this extraordinary project and to support the international storytelling behind such an inspiring story.

👏 Congratulations to the incredible creative team:

🎬 Director:
🎥 Executive Producers:
📋 Production Director:
🎞️ Head of Production:

Stories like this remind us why authentic storytelling matters. ❤️