Men will do the cooking at Geneva fundraiser

Getting excited about "an incredible dough" recipe is just the beginning of the fun Geneva High School junior Darren Underway is going to have at this year's 60 Men Who Cook fundraiser.

Good food and an enjoyable night out is on the menu of the second annual 60 Men Who Cook, coming up on Friday, May 7, which will benefit four Geneva organizations: the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, the Geneva History Center, the Geneva Rotary, and the Geneva Lions Club.

Timed to coincide with Mother's Day weekend, this event is open to everyone of all ages, as well as to moms who find the idea of having 60 men cook for them too good to resist.

"I'm in Culinary II class," Underway said. "Last year, two seniors did it, and this year, (my teacher) told me I'd be ready for it."

Underway and three fellow culinary classmates, Connor Bartel, Kelly O'Brien and Marty Roman, will be making a gourmet doughnut trio for folks to sample. While the recipe is out of the class cookbook, the students created the frosting from scratch.

The chefs have quite a bit of work to do, as all must purchase and bring their own food, provide 200 sample sizes, decorate their tables, and bring whatever they need to keep their food hot or cold, along with extension cords and power strips.

The kitchen in the Prairie Events Center will open at 9 a.m., so chefs can begin cooking. Ace Hardware is also donating three grills for use.

All the food for this event must be prepared in a health department approved kitchen. While some of the participants are owners or chefs in area restaurants and can use their own kitchens, many are not, and they will be at the fairgrounds slaving away on their dishes. Then the chefs will spend the entire evening serving people.

"It's mass chaos when setting up, but it's amazing when it's up and going," said event co-chair Terry Emma, vice president of the Geneva History Center, who also organized this event's first year, in 2009.

Tasting will begin promptly at 6 p.m., inside the Prairie Events Center at the Kane County Fairgrounds.

A laundry list of local professionals will have a mouthwatering choice of appetizers, main dishes, side dishes, and desserts to sample.

John Carlson of Carlson Tool in Geneva will be making pulled pork sliders with Nana's slaw.

"I've been cooking for well over 40 years," Carlson said. "Jim Filbert (originally from) Geneva, now from Pittsfield, Ill., is working with me, and 'Nana' is Nancy Filbert, and her slaw is to die for, as are the sauces for the pulled pork."

Bring your sweet tooth with you and try a piece of Greg Weider's I'll Diet Tomorrow Toffee Fudge.

"The recipe comes from the Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice Cookbook, which I will actually be handing out copies of, along with the fudge," said Weider, executive director of Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice.

"Participating in this fundraiser is a way to give back to a community that has supported our organization for many years."

And it's fun, added Weider, who participated in last year's event, and won for best dessert.

Other delights to check out include sangria poached scallop on herb focaccia toast with fruit chutney by Fiora's Restaurant chef Aaron Wendigner; jalapeño poppers with Slap You Silly Hot Sauce by Bill White, founder of Slap You Silly Hot Sauce Co. in St. Charles; and so much more.

Tasters will vote for their favorite creations with their dollars, which will be distributed equally among the for non-for-profit Geneva organizations, along with proceeds from ticket sales.

"If you like the food, every dollar is a vote," Emma said. "The cook who raises the most money wins."

You can actually vote with cash, check or charge card at this year's event.

A winner in each category - appetizer, main dish, side dish, and dessert - will be announced at 8 p.m., and each will be awarded a trophy.

A new category this year is Best Display, and visitors will each get one opportunity to vote for their favorite.

The addition of this new category was inspired by last year's participants, who "really got into it, " said Emma. "One guy dressed up like Caesar last year, and made Caesar salad."

Plenty of food, beverages, and even beer, provided by Euclid Beverage of North Aurora, will be at hand throughout what promises to be a very fun evening.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with food being served at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance or $35 at the door. Visit genevachamber.com or call (630) 232-6060 for details.

The chefsChris AistonMark AllenMitch BelonJohn CarlsonMatt CesaroneBrian ConroyMike DeagleChris DeaneBob DiPasquantonioPhil EggenChuck EmmaTerry FlanaganDon ForniJoe GraceMike HaasGordie HardCorey HardesenGary HedgeBruce HeidlaufDave HeunPat HofstetterMike JacobyWeldon JohnsonBryan KimmellVince KleesBob KovacsDon KramerSam LangRichard LewisSteve LordArun ManiJohn MartinGreg MillsDave ObergMichael OlesenRon OnestiSteve PersingerBob PiperHowie PribbleChris ReissPaul RubySalvatore RumoroFrancois SanchezMike SimonMark TuskenDarren UnderwayDoug WarlickSteve WarrenfeltzMark WeaverGreg WeiderBruce WeigelJim WeitlAaron WendingerBill WhiteAndy YoungFalse10291590John Carlson False <p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p><p class="News"><b>What:</b> 60 Men Who Cook, a fundraiser for Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Geneva History Center, Geneva Rotary, and Geneva Lions Club</p><p class="News"><b>When:</b> Friday, May 7; doors open at 5:30 p.m.; food served at 6 p.m. </p><p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Kane County Fairgrounds Prairie Events Center, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles </p><p class="News"><b>How much?</b> Advance tickets are $25; at the door, $35. </p><p class="News"><b>Where to buy?</b> Tickets can be purchased at these Geneva locations: Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St.; Geneva Chamber of Commerce, 8 S. Third St.; Fagans Graphics, 524 W. State St.; The Paper Merchant, 323 S. Third St.; and State Street Jewelers, 214 W. State St.</p><p class="News"><b>Details:</b> <a href="http://genevachamber.com" target="new">genevachamber.com</a>; (630) 232-6060</p>