Entertainment
Playwright & Filmmaker Tom Cavanaugh Named Finalist for 2026 TASTE Awards Following Recognition in Asbury Park
New Jersey native and award-winning playwright Tom Cavanaugh is making waves in the 2026 awards season, securing a prestigious nomination as a Finalist for the 2026 TASTE AWARDS.
ASBURY PARK, NJ – Award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and filmmaker Tom Cavanaugh has been named a Finalist for the 2026 TASTE Awards, a prestigious program celebrating excellence in sensory-driven storytelling across film, television, digital content, and lifestyle media.
The TASTE Awards, headquartered in Beverly Hills, recognize creators whose work brings powerful narrative experiences to life — often through food, culture, and human connection. Cavanaugh’s finalist nomination is a notable achievement in this year’s awards season.
Cavanaugh’s recent short film Franny’s Cookies received acclaim at a festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey, highlighting the filmmaker’s continued presence in regional creative circles.
While some local reports previously described him as Jersey-born, publicly available biographical sources and Cavanaugh’s own professional profiles do not confirm New Jersey as his place of birth. Instead, his extensive theater and film résumé is grounded in training with the Actors Studio Drama School and decades of work in theater, film, and screenwriting.
A graduate of the Actors Studio Drama School with an M.F.A. in playwriting, Cavanaugh’s work has been showcased and awarded nationally — including honors for full-length plays like BEHOLD and distinctions in screenplay competitions. His projects span stage productions, screen shorts, and feature work, often exploring personal and communal themes.
The 2026 TASTE Awards Finalists list brings together storytellers from across the country, and the upcoming ceremony will spotlight achievements in narrative and sensory media.
Friends, colleagues, and members of the arts community are celebrating Cavanaugh’s milestone as a reflection of his creative impact both locally and nationally.
Film
Weapons – A Hot Take
WEAPONS, directed by Zach Cregger, is a film heavily layered in unspoken mythology. When all but one child go missing from a classroom in a small town. Starring Amy Marian, Josh Brolin, and Julia Garner.
While I did enjoy the film itself, I think it has been put into the wrong category. Let me explain. Yes, it was a good film. The pacing was spectacular, not giving away too much overlapping information but filling holes precisely when needed so that we as the audience felt like we were uncovering the truth alongside the characters. Even though we knew from the beginning.
No one needs a wig that red with bangs that short. But I digress.
The ‘mythology’ in the film was great as well. The antagonist wasn’t overpowered with their ability to use magic in a world not accustomed to it. Personally, I enjoy when there’s a catch to everything. And we got to see that catch be the downfall of the villain. Aunt Gladys, played by Amy Marian. And while she was scary in her own right, it wasn’t like Alien. Where the mere sight of the monster sends chills down your spine.
No. Weapons is one that has you wondering. Fearing. That if you encounter the wrath of a witch like our antagonist, would you survive? If your child was taken, how calm would you be? And would you think through every single one of your actions before you do it? I think not.
It’s these things that make Weapons so suspenseful and such a great film. But I don’t think it’s been accurately categorized in horror/mystery and should instead be in thriller.
Because it is no mystery what happened, and while yes, there are a few jump scares, it is not what I would consider a classic horror film. Even in an age of change for the film industry, we need to stay true to the basic categorization. But what do I know? I’m just a guy who likes movies.
Editorial
Summer at the Shore: The Return of Classic American Coastal Style
Every summer, the Jersey Shore becomes a stage.
From the boardwalks of Belmar and Point Pleasant to the sidewalks of Spring Lake and Sea Girt, people step back into a tradition that is as much a part of Shore culture as salt air and ice cream cones: dressing well for summer.
Not flashy.
Not loud.
Not driven by whatever trend appeared online last week.
Instead, the Shore’s most enduring style remains rooted in something timeless: classic American coastal fashion blended with generations of European influence.
The Formula Hasn’t Changed
For men, the look is remarkably simple:
- Linen shirts
- Lightweight chinos
- Tailored shorts
- Polo shirts
- Crisp button-downs
- Loafers and boat shoes
Navy, white, khaki, and soft coastal colors continue to dominate because they simply work.
They look clean. They age well. They never feel out of place.
The most stylish people at the Shore are often the ones who appear to be trying the least.
Effortless Never Goes Out of Style
A white linen shirt.
A pair of loafers.
A lightweight navy sport coat for dinner.
These pieces have survived decades because they never truly go out of fashion.
For women, the same philosophy applies.
Flowing summer dresses, tasteful patterns, natural fabrics, and timeless silhouettes continue to define Shore elegance. Whether it’s dinner overlooking the water or an evening stroll along the boardwalk, the look remains polished without feeling formal.
A Tradition Passed Down Through Generations
Part of what makes Jersey Shore style unique is its cultural foundation.
Many Shore communities were built by families whose roots trace back to Italy, Ireland, Germany, Poland, and other parts of Europe. Along with recipes and traditions came a belief that presentation mattered.
Dressing well wasn’t about showing off.
It was about self-respect.
You can still see that mindset today.
Grandparents, parents, and grandchildren may wear different brands, but they often share the same appreciation for quality, fit, and timeless style.
Why It Still Works
Fashion trends come and go.
Social media constantly declares a new must-have item.
Yet every summer, the classic look returns.
Clean lines.
Quality materials.
Confidence without excess.
As outdoor dining patios fill, live music drifts through beach towns, and families gather for evenings on the boardwalk, the Shore naturally encourages people to put a little more thought into how they present themselves.
Not because they have to.
Because they want to.
The Jersey Shore Look for 2026
This summer, the winning formula remains the same:
✔ Linen over logos
✔ Fit over flash
✔ Timeless over trendy
✔ Quality over quantity
Some traditions survive because they work.
At the Jersey Shore, classic style remains one of them.
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Tom Cavanaugh
February 22, 2026 at 4:47 pm
HI thanks for publishing my press release… but the picture is not me! I AM TOM CAVANAUGH
go to http://www.tommycwrites.com for pictures… or I’ll send you some… but CAVANAGH did not write the screenplay that one. CAVANAUGH did… thanks
Editor-in-Chief
February 22, 2026 at 5:20 pm
Thank you so much for reaching out, we are still in development and beta testing but we have made the image correction as requested. Congrats on your success!
Tom Cavanaugh
February 22, 2026 at 6:25 pm
THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH! IM SO HAPPY YOU DID THIS!!! NJ born and bread THIS MEANS SO MUCH TO ME!