The sixth annual TEAM "Men Who Cook" fund-raising event will return to the Valley on Saturday, April 20 from 6 to 11 p.m. at Warsaw Park in Ansonia. Participants can sample a wide variety of cuisine prepared by more than 70 “Valley guys” while helping the regional social service agency.
These apron-wearing chefs are not professional cooks, but are community minded individuals who enjoy the camaraderie of a great evening with friends and neighbors.
Wide variety of cuisine
What's on the menu? Go international with empanadas, porketta, chicken marsala, and unique pasta dishes. Like spice? Wings, barbecue and buffalo chicken await you.
If you prefer seafood, you can sample shrimp alfredo and seafood gumbo. Get your veggies in southwestern gazpacho, brushetta and other dishes.
There will be smoked turkey, the comfort of chicken pot pie, and sandwiches made with plantains and traditional sausage, peppers and onions. Remember to leave room for dessert, with freshly baked coconut cupcakes, cookies and other sweet treats.
Event specifics
Admission is $55 per person, which includes food, beer, wine and soft drinks, dancing to music, and the opportunity to bid in a silent auction.
The event’s MC will be Chaz of “Chaz and AJ in the Morning” on WPLR-FM. Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan is the event’s marquee sponsor.
- Participating community chefs from a past TEAM “Men Who Cook” event.
To become a sponsor of “Men Who Cook” or to donate an auction item, call Trish Wigglesworth at 203-736-5420, ext. 221. To purchase tickets, call Wigglesworth or buy online at www.teaminc.org. All proceeds from the event will benefit programs provided by TEAM Inc., serving the needs of individuals and families living in the Valley.
Event chairmen are Charles Sullivan, David Grant and Jeff Westine.
Participating cooks so far
To date, the chefs who'll proudly wear the “Men Who Cook” aprons are:
Anthony Agosto
Pastor Edward Barnes
Swindell Barnes
Jack Betkoski
Juan Bonilla
Ryan Boos
Harry Burlakoff
William Calderara
Patrick Carey
Chief Mike Chaffee
Patrick Charmel
Mike Cotela, Jr.
John Coscia
Dave Cribbins
State Sen. Joe Crisco
Bill DeRosa
Brian Fonck
Roger Giori
Bruce Goldson
Terri Goldson
Eric Granato
Douglas Hensal
Chris Hill
Dave Hill
Ron Holtz
Franklyn Hull
Chief Joel Hurliman
State Sen. Kevin Kelly
Mike Kieley
Tim Kieley
Richard Knoll
Joe Laucella
Jeff Merrill
Chief Michael Metzler
John Mihalko
First Selectman Kurt Miller
Ned Miller
James Mills
Michael Mills
Nelson Morales
David Morgan
Rick Moore
Robert Muoio
Bill Nimons
Jack O'Donnell
Tim Oppel
Win Oppel
Fred Ortoli
Steve Overby
Joe Pagliaro Jr.
Dave Pendagast
State Rep. Jason Perillo
Rick Ponce DeLeone
Jim Queen
Dave Rabinove
Johnathan Rodriguez
John Rollinson
Joshua Rosado
Chris Sansone
Carlo Sarmiento
Adam Sevelowitz
Anthony Simonetti
Kevin Spooner
Thomas Steeves
Nicholas Tarasovic Jr.
Nicholas Tarasovic Sr.
Dominick Thomas
Ben Trabka
Robert VanEgghen
Hector Velez
Blake Williams
Stuart Williams
John Yeager
John Zaprzalka
Tom Zaprzalka
About Team Inc.
TEAM Inc. is a private, nonprofit, anti-poverty agency that serves Shelton and nine nearby communities. The Derby-based organization’s goal is to address the needs of economically disadvantaged individuals and families through resource mobilization, education, advocacy and service delivery.
Specific services include early education, elderly services, home heating assistance, housing assistance, economic literacy and asset building, and community and neighborhood services.