There were lots of smiles at the 100 Men Who Cook event Saturday night. Beyond contently full bellies, there was also the satisfaction of knowing the $116,000 raised at the event will benefit the Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club of Owensboro and help youth in our local community.
But there was even more at steak – I mean stake – at this year’s event: another beneficiary was announced to receive a portion of next year’s funds.
“We were so pleased with the success of last year’s 100 Men Who Cook event that we decided to take the event to the next level,” explained Old National Bank Owensboro Market President, Wade Jenkins. “The plan is to support an additional charitable organization, as a way of expanding our reach across the community.”
So in 2018, the fourth annual 100 Men Who Cook will not only benefit the Boys and Girls Club, it will also benefit the Owensboro Family YMCA.
The Owensboro Men Who Cook event was originally started by the Glenmary Sisters, who handed the event off to Old National Bank. Old National had already raised millions of dollars by hosting similar events in other markets throughout Indiana and Illinois.
For the 2015 event, Old National Bank recruited 100 “celebrity” chefs from the Owensboro community and asked them to prepare their best dishes for guests to sample and enjoy.
There is also some friendly side competition among the chefs as they collect “tips” from friends, family members, and the guests who sample their food at the event. The chef who collects the most tips in each food category wins the “Top Chef” award and bragging rights until next year.
100 Men Who Cook has become a social event not to be missed, featuring an abundance of delicious food, a cash bar, live music, and dancing, all of which supports the community by benefiting two great causes, the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA.
“As a community bank, we realize the importance of remaining invested in our communities, and 100 Men Who Cook is one way that we continue this tradition,” Jenkins said.
Other sponsors for the 2017 event were Adventures, American Patriot Getaways, Ashley Furniture Homestore, Champion Ford, Hartz Contracting, LPL Financial, and Titan.
To stay up to date as plans progress for next year, visit owensboro100menwhocook.com.
