Everyone around me was of a like mind as I dug into my massive plate of food: “Fabulous!”
The “Men Who Cook” event is an annual food fest whose proceeds go to programs at The Women’s Center in New Bedford. Long an establishment centered on helping women and their families recover and move on from a range of difficulties spanning drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence and homelessness, the night of cooking helps keep those efforts financially stable.
The chefs – whether private citizens or professionals displaying their craft – donated the food and time because they believe in the work done by The Women’s Center.
The Dawicki brothers of the Bayside Lounge, located in Fairhaven, prepared their pulled pork specialty, which takes two days to complete. Ken, Duke and Joe, along with Joe’s son, Eric, are dedicated to supporting this event and others that help fund The Women’s Center. Joe said “we also assist the Center through the New Bedford Masonic Lodge with their Mother’s Day event.”
Colby Rottler brought his family’s favorite pasta dishes. He said, “There’s nothing better that you can do – feed people.” He has participated in this event for 10 years and always looks forward to it.
Professional chef and New Bedford Vocational Technical High School teacher Henry Bouwquet cooked up batches of delicious scallops with lovely delicate sauces. This was his sixth outing at this event.
Tony Hirsch, of Rochester, is a 10-time veteran. He shyly responded that yes, he does the cooking at home.
“I come without being asked,” said John Larsen, of Acushnet. He was there because it is “such a wonderful event.” He is a six-time contributor.
Whether the assembled were there to simply eat or to feed the hungry, all echoed the same heartening sentiment: “a worthy charity”; a charity that gets to the core values we all embrace – families with strong, healthy mothers.
By Marilou Newell
