Mt. Vernon Register-News

Local

January 9, 2013

Men Cooking for CASA deadline approaches

By RORYE O’CONNOR rorye.oconnor@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Local men with an interest in helping Court-Appointed Special Advocates of Jefferson County have until Jan. 11 to sign up for Men Cooking for CASA.

The second annual event will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn. About 40 chefs are signed up to cook sample-sized creations so far, said Becky Whisenant, executive director of CASA of Jefferson County.

The event begins with a cash bar at 5:30 p.m., and at 6:15 p.m., the parade of chefs heralds the beginning of the sampling. A live auction will begin at 7:30 p.m., but a silent auction will also be held during the event.

“It’s the same concept this year as last year,” Whisenant said. “For one price, you sample as much as you want. The people who attend pick the people’s choice award, the best table decorations, and the best main dish, appetizer and dessert. There will be a live and silent auction and all proceeds benefit CASA.”

Many of the chefs who provided tasty morsels to attendees last year are returning, including chefs Todd Piper, Richard Straeter, father and son duo Dr. Dan Hoffman and Doug Hoffman, Dan Knox, Joe Gliosci and more, Whisenant said.

“You don’t want to miss it this year,” she said. “I can’t stress enough how much of a low pressure event it is. It’s just talking with your friends and trying food, it’s not a bunch of talking.”

Whisenant said the event can accommodate as many as five more chefs, who can call CASA at 204-5453 to find out how to sign up. It is free to sign up, she said, and a table and warming dish will be provided to all chefs as needed.

Chefs should provide 50 to 75 sample-size portions of their recipe — and a sample size is about a spoonful, Whisenant said.

“They would make way too much if they made a sample for everyone,” she said. “There’s no way people can eat all 40 recipes in one evening.”

Tickets are $35 per person and are available in advance by calling 204-5453 or at the door the evening of the event. A cookbook including all of the recipes provided will be included in the cost of the ticket.

Text Only
Local

Local Photo
DSC_0004.JPG

TESA GLASS/REGISTER-NEWS
Mt. Vernon Police blocked a portion of North Ninth Street Wednesday morning about 11 a.m. after reports the brick facade of the apartment building at the corner of Ninth and Maple streets was falling to the ground. The bricks took out cable lines, awnings and were landing on the street.