'Men Who Cook' ready to don aprons in Ansonia

7th annual event to benefit TEAM 

Contributed photo taken at the fifth annual 'Men Who Cook'

ANSONIA - Join the fun and good times at the 7^th annual “Men Who Cook” as it returns to the Valley April 26.  This is a unique spring evening out with friends and family at the Valley’s most popular event.

Let someone else cook while you enjoy a wide variety of dishes and desserts prepared by over 60 Valley Guys.  

The Men Who Cook are not professional chefs; they are dedicated community neighbors who want to share their cooking talents and camaraderie with you and your friends.

What’s on the menu? Go international with Bad Bandito Chili Verde, pulled pork tacos, bratwurst, empanadas, and unique pasta dishes.

Prefer grill food then wings, chili, and smoked turkey await you. 
If you are a sea foodie, try the seafood gumbo, scampi, shrimp and grits or Rhode Island chowder.  Sample the porketta, the comfort of chicken pot pie, and corned beef reuben dip. Remember to leave room for dessert with freshly baked chocolate chip layer bars, ginger cookies, key lime pie or fried oreos.

Chairpersons for this event are Charles Sullivan, David Grant and Jeff Westine.

And (to date) the chefs who’ll proudly wear the Men Who Cook Aprons:

Kevin Atterbury, Pastor Edward Barnes, Jack Betkoski, David Blackwell, Juan Bonilla, Ryan Boos,  Harry Burlakoff, Bill Calderara, Michael Caleca, Patrick Carey, Chief Mike Chaffee, Patrick Charmel, John Coscia, Jim Cotter, Jack Cowell, state Sen. Joe Crisco, Dexter Davis, Dr. Steve DiBenedetto, Dr. Jay Dworkin, Brian Fonck, Roger Giori, Bruce Goldson, Terri Goldson,  David Grant, Chris Hill, Dave Hill, Chief Joel Hurliman, Craig Jones, David Jones, state Sen. Kevin Kelly, Mike Kieley, Tim Kieley, Richard Knoll, Kevin Lantowsky, Pete Larsen, Dan L’Atrella, Mayor Mark Lauretti, Robert McColl, David McNamera, Sherrod McNeill, Jeff Merrill, John Mihalko, Bill Miller, First Selectman Kurt Miller, James Mills, Michael Mills, Dave Monahan, Nelson Morales, David Morgan, Rick Moore, Bill Nimons, Brian O’Connor, Chris O’Connor, Jack O’Donnell, Tim Oppel, Win Oppel, Fred Ortoli, Joe Pagliaro, Jr., Richard Persico, John Petrillo, Jorge Pezo-Candelario, Rick Ponce DeLeon, Dave Rabinove, John Rollinson,  Joshua Rosado, Chris Sansone, Chris Setaro, Anthony Simonetti, Kevin Spooner, Thomas Steeves, Dr. Ira Stein, Charlie Sullivan, Dominick Thomas, Ben Trabka,  Robert VanEgghen, Hector Velez, Ken Weinstein, John Yeager, John Zaprzalka, and Tom Zaprzalka.

Special MC is Chaz of Chaz and AJ in the morning on 99.1 PLR, Connecticut's number one morning show.  Men Who Cook will run from 6-11 p.m. at Warsaw Park, 119 Pulaski Highway.

  

Admission of $55 per person includes food, beer/wine and soft drinks, bid at the Valley’s greatest silent auction and dance away the night’s calories with music.
Marquee Sponsors for Men Who Cook are Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan and the Bassett Family Fund.

To sponsor Men Who Cook or donate an auction item, call Trish Wigglesworth, 203-736-5420 ext 221. To purchase tickets, call Wigglesworth or obtain tickets online at www.teaminc.org. 

All proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the programs provided by TEAM, Inc. serving the needs of individuals and families living in the Valley.

This is a press release from TEAM, Inc., a private, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to connect individuals and families with solutions that lead to well-being, self-sufficiency and full participation in the community. 
TEAM programs serve the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour and Woodbridge.