Sweet aromas and nostalgic flavors were in the air as 30 chefs prepared dishes for the seventh annual Men Who Cook fundraiser.
The fundraiser, hosted by the West Orange African Heritage Association (WOAHO) on Sunday, raised money to benefit the Thomas Holcomb Scholarship Fund. The annual scholarship is given to West Orange high school seniors of African decent who have shown academic excellence and a commitment to community service. This year, six students were chosen to receive the scholarship.
"This is our main fundraiser for the scholarship. We do a few other small fundraisers, and ask our members for general appeal, but this is the main one," said Bryn Whittle, president of WOAHO.
WOAHO is a non-profit volunteer organization that began in 1999 to honor African culture among area residents.
Jan Carden, chair of the event, said that in the past, the fundraiser has raised around $2,000 each year for the scholarship fund.
The event indeed was well attended — around 120 people arrived ready to taste the food of some of West Orange's most talented male chefs.
The trays of food, which lined the perimeter of the large, open room, were revealed as the line of hungry attendees quickly grew. Each chef stood behind his dish, in a chef's hat and apron, ready to serve.
Attendees excitedly went from chef to chef, to taste the dishes each had created. Among the dishes were Jamaican jerk chicken, fried turkey, summer gumbo, seafood stew, and four different kinds of macaroni and cheese.
Everything smelled and looked delicious, which was evident because by the time attendees headed to the tables to eat, most were carrying two or three plates of food to sample.
"Food brings people together — it is a cultural thing, and it bridges the gap between different cultures," said Merlin Hackett, one of the mac & cheese chefs.
Carden said that the "men who cook" theme of the event is, "a good idea. It’s a successful event, and people like it."
In addition to the delicious food, attendees enjoyed music, performed by students from West Orange High School. These performances included a cello and piano player, a string quartet, and a singer from the Jubilee choir.
During the event, each guest received a little yellow voting slip. "It’s a new thing we’re doing this year — everyone gets to vote on their favorite dish. It’s just for fun." said Cynthia Hadley-Bailey, Sergeant-At-Arms of WOAHO.
No matter which dish got the most votes, it seems that everyone — from the chefs to the satisfied attendees to the scholarship recipients — was a winner.
