On March 16th, many guests and participants gathered at the Bridger Field House to enjoy the annual event, “Men Who Cook,” benefiting SECU (State Employees’ Credit Union) Family House. This fun, interactive event was launched in 2016, three years ago, in an effort to support the mission of the Family House, which is to provide hospitality and affordable lodging to families and caregivers traveling to Winston-Salem for medical treatment.
The evening kicked off with Michael Hastings (Food Editor for the Winston-Salem Journal) and Dave Goren (Executive Director at National Sports Media Association) emceeing the event with their vibrant personalities. There were 22 teams that entertained and provided delicious samples of their work. Guests could purchase wine corks for the wine wall pull, and vote for their favorite chef or dish the evening of the event by purchasing “tip chips,” or by donating online prior to the event.
Donna and Bill Lawler were the 2019 event chairs, as well as more than 30 on-site volunteers. The presenting sponsor was Wake Forest Baptist Health. Other sponsors were Novant Health, Publix Supermarkets Charities, Visit Winston-Salem, Reynolds American, and many other companies and individual “wooden spoon” and “iron skillet” sponsors.
“We are thrilled that this event continues to be one that garners such wonderful support for our house,” said Kathy Carr, Executive Director of SECU Family House. “The kitchen is definitely the heart of our homes and meal preparation is such a large part of the services that Family House provides its guests. We love bringing families together over food, and we couldn’t have found a better way to celebrate our mission of providing assistance to adult patients and caregivers who are going through difficult health crisis.”
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact Lindley Curtis at 336-793-2822.
Save the date for next year’s event Saturday, March 14th, 2020, at Bridger Field House.
2019 Chef teams included:Chris Smith/Inmar and Jack Samet/Infinity; Mark Owens and Walter Farabee of the Winston Salem Chamber of Commerce; Billy Lentz of Garner Foods; Tim Lowe, Richard McKellogg and Wes Doub of Lowes Foods; Bill Adams/Winmock at Kinderton and Robert Egleston/ Leadership Winston-Salem; James Figlar and Winton Jennette/Reynolds American; Dan Hardy and Larry McAlister/ HanesBrands; Todd and Bobby Hoover/Northwestern Mutual; Dixon Kinser/St. Paul’s Episcopal and Paul Wollner/Augsburg Lutheran; Michael Lalor /Trellis Supportive Care and Jason Scott/Image Works Display; Michael Lischke/WFBH, Jeffrey Smith/Smitty’s Notes and Phil Roethle; Ed McNeal and Herschel McNeal/ City of Winston Salem; Mark Lielke and James Connolly/Bernard Robinson CPA; Pete Mikeal/Globant and Jason Bragg/Leonard, Ryden, Burr; Steve Motew and Chad Setliff/Novant Health; Joshua Moyer and Andy Mottesheard/Modern Automotive; Bill Oakes/WFU Athletics and Ray Boden/Gears and Guitars; Rob Rose and Sal Giaimo/Carolina Region, Order of Malta; Jimmy Steele and Greg Felts/WSNC and Eric Stone/Cone Health and Kimberly Stone/Cannon Wealth Management.
