Celebrity Chef – Men Who Cook continues to raise funds and make a difference in Peel Region

BY PAUL JUNOR

The annual Celebrity Chef – Men Who Cook event on Saturday, April 20^th, 2024, at the auditorium of Century Gardens Recreation Centre in Brampton was an eventful one.

For twenty-four years this signature fundraising occasion has been a major source of funding for the United Achievers’ Club (UAC) of Brampton, Inc. Since it was established in 1980 and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1987, the UAC has been making a difference in the lives of residents in Peel. It has raised about $444,000 towards its scholarship program, which was first launched in 1985.

UAC also hosts the Black History Month Celebration, Pancake Breakfast as well as the Annual Golf Tournament. The UAC looks forward to this important fundraising event every year. There were many long-time Brampton residents in attendance who have consistently supported this important community service provider and knows how vital it is to Brampton.

Among the 25+ selected gourmet volunteer chefs showcasing their culinary skills were “celebrities” from such diverse occupations:  politicians, judges, police services, doctors, lawyers, educators, financial consultants, realtors, artists and entrepreneurs. The auditorium was gushing with excitement as the over 100 hundred guests in attendance looked forward to the varieties of food that was prepared by the volunteer chefs.

There were twenty volunteer chefs who prepared a variety of appetizers, salads, entrees, desserts, and soups. There were three female chefs who were included for the first time. They were Carol Thompson, Dottier Voegele and Naraine Whittingham. It was great to see the few female chefs amidst the sea of male faces who were beaming with smiles as they greeted the patrons who sampled the sumptuous food that they prepared.

After the food sampling, it was announced that over $30,000 was raised as a result of the event and the winner of the 50-50 draw which was half of $731 decided to give back his half to the UAC. Proceeds from this year’s event are geared towards funding scholarships for graduating secondary school students who have been accepted to colleges and universities. One-third of net proceeds will be to the Pediatric Program (Sickle Cell Disease support), Brampton Civic Hospital (William Osler Health System).

In many ways the volunteers who were part of the planning committee must be celebrated and acknowledged for the hard work and dedication they displayed in ensuring the success of this year’s event. They include: Marva Hemmings (Membership Officer), Hyacinth Lindo, Melissa Lothian, Doreen Manning (Chair, Fundraising Committee), Lacinda Stoley (Trustee-Communication), and Marjorie Taylor (Event Planner and Program Booklet Editor).

Margorie Taylor who is a long-standing Brampton community member and active participant in the CCMWC 2024 sent out an email on Sunday, April 21^st. “It is 25 years now since I have been involved in this fundraising event and I am always overwhelmed by the generosity of the chefs who give of their time, working expertise, and monetary resources in the preparation of their delicious meals for attending guests and volunteers, all in giving back to the community, particularly on behalf of our youth. Kudos to them.”