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Montclair State University Launches "Cooking with Koppell: Candidates Edition" to Offer New Perspective on New Jersey's Gubernatorial Race

Montclair, NJ (04/15/2025) — Montclair State University has launched a new bipartisan television and streaming series, "Cooking with Koppell: Candidates Edition", featuring New Jersey's 2025 gubernatorial candidates in an unexpected setting - the kitchen.

Hosted by University President Jonathan Koppell, "Cooking with Koppell" offers voters a unique, personal view of each candidate ahead of the June primary election. The series aims to empower New Jersey voters to engage in the democratic process by offering meaningful insight into the lives and values of those running for governor one meal at a time.

Filmed in the University's Loft Studio in its School of Communication and Media, each episode features a candidate and brings them into the kitchen to prepare a dish that reflects their heritage, family traditions, or personal ties to New Jersey. While cooking, the candidates share stories about their upbringing, their motivations for entering public service, and their vision for the future of the state.

The series premiered on Sunday, April 6, with New Jersey Assemblyman Jon Bramnick as the first guest. The second episode, featuring Sean Spiller, aired on April 13.

The full upcoming episode lineup includes:

  • April 20 - Bill Spadea
  • April 27 - Congressman Josh Gottheimer
  • May 4 - Former Senate President Steve Sweeney
  • May 11 - Former Gubernatorial Nominee Jack Ciattarelli
  • May 18 - Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill
  • May 25 - Newark Mayor Ras Baraka

Cooking with Koppell: Candidates Edition is produced by Montclair State University students and alumni, providing hands-on experience in media production, public affairs programming, and nontraditional political storytelling. The series is part of the University's broader mission to prepare students for leadership roles while fostering informed and constructive political discourse.

Episodes premiere Sundays at 9 a.m. on News12+, with encore airings Sundays at 7:30 p.m. and Mondays at 10:30 p.m. The series also streams weeknights at 8 p.m. and weekends at 11 a.m. on On New Jersey (ONNJ), and is available for on-demand viewing on Hawk+ and YouTube.

Montclair State University

Andrew Mees, meesa@montclair.edu

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