Tribute tonight for Haley at Taste of Rehoboth

A short tribute is planned this evening for the late Sussex County restaurateur Matt Haley at the second annual Taste of Rehoboth at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center off Rehoboth Avenue.

The party, from 5 to 8 p.m., includes cooking demonstrations and tastes from more than 15 Rehoboth restaurants, including at least one Haley eatery, as well as a(MUSE.), Blue Moon, Eden, Espuma, JAM Bistro and Hobos.

Haley, 53, died Tuesday of injuries he suffered in a motorcycle accident in India.

"It definitely seems surreal," Jay Caputo, chef/owner of Espuma, said Thursday of Haley's sudden death. "It's like, 'Wow, did this really happen?'"

At last year's inaugural Taste of Rehoboth, the chefs and guests attending the event honored Leo Medisch, the longtime executive chef of the Back Porch Cafe who died the day before the event at age 60.

Caputo said while he had his "ups and downs" with Haley through the years, the men recently had "buried the hatchet."

Earlier this year, Caputo sold his former CABO Modern Mexican Tequila Bar to Haley's restaurant organization, which includes seven other Sussex County restaurants. The Wilmington Avenue restaurant is now home to Papa Grande's.

"I always respected him as businessman and a philanthropist," Caputo said.

Last year's event, hosted by Rehoboth Inspired Chefs Initiative, a group of local chefs and hospitality professionals, raised more than $11,000 for the Food Bank of Delaware.

Chefs from about 15 restaurants will be preparing tastes of food. Dogfish Head will be serving its Festina Peche, Firefly Ale, Ancient Ale Midas Touch and Belgian white Namaste. Wine and cocktails also will be available.

Get there early. Last year's event, attended by more than 500 people, sold out. Tickets at the door are $60.