Adam Snidow and Brett Lawler from CC Creations posed for the camera before serving up some tasty “Sloppy Joes."
The 50 Men Who Can Cook fundraiser, held by the College Station ISD Education Foundation, is one of the many enjoyable events hosted in College Station. Although just one of many fundraisers held by the Education Foundation, the 13th annual 50 Men Who Can Cook is their main fundraiser.
The event’s name, 50 Men Who Can Cook, comes from the 50 men, all affiliated with the foundation either through community or education, that host their own booths with their chosen dish. People in the community can come, walk around, and taste the men’s food. The dishes vary from appetizers/salads, entrees, desserts, and soups/chilis, and each booth has to make 900 two-ounce samples of their dish for the competition.
As of recent years, many men in the competition decide to go full out with themes, costumes, and decorations for their booths.
“We have made many great memories at this event, mostly from the creative booth themes. One of our Kids Club staff built an entire pirate ship for their booth before,” says Teresa Benden, director of the College Station ISD Education Foundation since 2009. “One year, BB&T Bank threw a ‘throw-a-pie’ booth where they made pies and let people throw them and last year, CC Creations dressed up as lunch ladies with a makeshift cafeteria booth.”
This event is both unique and incredibly entertaining, but it also provides a great time for the community to come together.
Justin Grimes, Randall Pratt, and Jay Pritchard from College View High School served up their “Wolf Bites” appetizer with a smile.
“The ticket includes access to the all you can eat, silent auction, adult beverages, our ‘mystery booth,’ and more,” states Benden. “All of the attendees get to vote for the best booth, so the guys really like the competitive element.”
The Education Foundation heavily anticipates the future of this beloved event. “What is most important to us at the Education Foundation is that the 50 Men Who Can Cook event feels very casual and that there is no talking head at the event,” states Benden.
The College Station ISD Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization and has been working to support, provide resources, and acknowledge the accomplishments of the wonderful educators and students in the community since 1999. The main way the Education Foundation is able to award teachers and students with supplies, grants, and scholarships is with the numerous events they hold.
If you are looking for ways to support and aid the Education Foundation, attending the 50 Men Who Can Cook fundraiser is just one of many. With the needs of College Station students growing, the need for support and assistance from the community is also growing. You can also partner with the Education Foundation by making an annual gift that supports all programs throughout the year; sponsor a specific event or program; donate matching contributions, gifts, real estate, stocks/bonds, or products/services; or volunteer for the Education Foundation at one of their events at any of their schools.
50 Men Who Can Cook is Feb. 7 at the Brazos County Expo from 6:30 to 9:30pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.givetokids.csisd.org, and for more information, call (979) 694-5615.
