Catholic Charities sponsors "Men Who Cook" event

BOARDMAN

Todd and Julie Sardich are the 2013 co-chairpersons for the Catholic Charities Regional Agency eighth annual Men Who Cook event planned from 6 to 10 p.m. April 12 at Antone’s Banquet Centre, 8578 Market St.

Men from the area will prepare their favorite dish for sampling.

Top prizes are the Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice awards for best overall dishes.

There will be a variety of auction items including an all-expense paid getaway to Atlantic City donated by Randy Spencer of Caesars Entertainment Inc.; multiple pieces of autographed sports memorabilia and several unique baskets.

Tickets are $50 per person and include food, open bar and entry for a door prize.

The event will benefit the Emergency Assistance program for people facing a crisis. Last year 25,000 people in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties were helped.

This event has raised more than $200,000 for this program in the past seven years.

Some of the chefs returning this year are State Sen. Joe Schiavoni, United Way’s Bob Hannon, the Rev. John Keehner, WYTV/WKBN’s Damon Maloney and Ryan Halicki, Danny Catullo of Catullo Prime Meats, the Rev. John-Michael Lavelle, and Cardinal Mooney High School Principal John Young.

Chefs returning who have participated each of the last seven years are Jeff Janci, owner of Cooke Creations; Judge Gene Donofrio; Barry Franks of Infocision; and Drs. Pat Karote and Steve Swain.

New participants are David Betras of Betras, Kopp and Harshman; Ross Scianna of Antone’s; St. Vincent de Paul Society President Brian Antal; Rob Palowitz, president and chief marketing officer of PALO Creative; and Warren JFK High School Principal, Brian Sinchak.

Judges this year will be YSU President Dr. Cynthia Anderson, WKBN’s Roxanne Sebest and Federal Judge Kay Woods and Mahoning County Judge Maureen Sweeney.

Platinum sponsors are The DeBartolo Corp. and First Place Bank. Other leading sponsors are Drs. James and Cynthia Kravec and their children, Drs. Thomas and Danielle Macabobby and Humility of Mary Health Partners. Home Savings and Loan, W.C. Zabel Co. and Antone’s Banquet Center are significant contributors of materials.

Men Who Cook is still seeking sponsorships, donations and auction items. For information or tickets call 330-744-3320 or visit www.menwhocook.org.