Carpenter’s Shelter Raises Close to $100,000 at 20th Anniversary Cook-Off on Sunday, October 13
ALEXANDRIA VA – Sunday, October 13, marked the 20th Anniversary of the Carpenter’s Shelter Cook-Off. The Birchmere, Alexandria’s legendary music hall in Del Ray, was transformed into an elaborate food hall. Twenty city restaurants vied for a chance to win top prize as they laid out their dishes of rice and shrimp and spicy beef. It was a foodie’s dream.
For one flat admission price, guests could wander from table to table, sampling all the eateries, from Italian to Indian and everything in between. Then there were the desserts: luscious pumpkin and rice cakes, and rich pies studded with nuts. Can’t down a pastry without coffee? A java station of various flavors stood at attention nearby.
The cavernous hall was filled with guests as attendees got to bid on hot ticket items during the live and silent auctions, all to the tunes of live music by Jones Point throughout the afternoon.
The celebration proved quite profitable for the shelter. It took home almost $100,000 in ticket and auction sales. The organization is still tallying the total take, which will likely go higher. Included in that figure is $2,700 from the Live Auction.
“We are proud to share that we saw a great turnout!” beamed Meghan Cole, Carpenter’s Shelter development associate. “The majority of tickets were sold in advance, and we even had additional attendees joining us at the door on the day of the Cook-Off to purchase tickets.”
Cole added, “While we are still finalizing our financial report, I can confidently say that the primary goal of the event was to raise funds to support Carpenter’s Shelter’s comprehensive services for the over 900 children, women, and men we serve annually who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.”
Three judges judged the Sweet and Savory awards. Debby Critchley, Zebra food editor, Samantha McCrimmon, designer of the wine program at L’Avant-Garde in Georgetown, and Sarah Stusek, gastronomic internet sensation, had the enviable task of trying every restaurant on the floor to come up with the winners. The People’s Choice and Kids’ Choice awards were chosen by participants who voted for their Number One picks.
RESTAURANT WINNERS
Savory
First prize: Hard Times Café – Chili
Second: Mystic BBQ & Grill – BBQ back ribs
Third: Landini Brothers – Spinach ravioli, penne with meat and pink tomato sauce
Sweet
First Prize: Mystic BBQ & Grill – banana bread pudding
Second: Bittersweet Catering – Assorted holiday sweets
Third: Nando’s Peri-Peri – Naughty Natas
People’s Choice: The Wharf
Kids’ Choice: Mystic BBQ & Grill
The Val Hawkins Award went to Alfred Street Baptist Church. In honor of Val Hawkins’ 20 years of service to Carpenter’s Shelter, the award is granted to an individual or organization that has actively supported the Shelter through volunteerism, financial contributions, and advocacy. Alfred Street Baptist Church has been deeply involved with the Shelter since 1981. Reverend Marcia Norfleet, Mission’s Director, accepted the award.
Carpenter’s Shelter runs two homeless shelters in Alexandria. The 909 people it serves include 248 children, 67 families, and 500 single individuals. Carpenter’s Shelter was founded in 1982 by a small group of concerned citizens. In the 42 years since it first opened its doors, the shelter has grown from providing bedding on cold nights into a major Alexandria facility that aims to end and prevent homelessness permanently. Carpenter’s Shelter helps people achieve sustainable independence through shelter and housing placement, guidance, education, and advocacy.
