WS Chronicle

A delicious Crawfish Stew earned the top prize at the 2019 Men Who Cook event to benefit the SECU Family House.

Chefs Chris Smith (Inmar) and Jack Samet (Infinity) wowed the Providence Culinary Training student judges with their Crawfish Stew. Second place food prize went to chefs Eric (Cone Health) and Kimberly Stone (Cannon Wealth Management) for their Heart Healthy Hawaiian Poke Bowls, and Billy Lentz and Paul Schunder (Garner Foods), came in third place with their Texas Pete Chicken Enchilada Dip.

The event on March 16 showcased the talents of 22 local amateur celebrity chefs who cooked for more than 425 guests at Bridger Field House. More than $140,000 was raised to help the Family House provide a compassionate, affordable place to stay for patients and caregivers who travel to Forsyth County for treatment or medical care. The Family House opens its doors to more than 4,500 patients and their caregivers each year.

“Walter and I had a great time supporting a great cause that truly makes an impact for families,” said Mark Owens, president of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce. “This is a ‘must attend’ event and I hope we get invited to participate again in the future! Thanks to everyone from the SECU Family House and those that supported the event as we try to help those in a time of need.”

Chefs also accepted “tips” online and at the event, raising over $40,000 combined. The Top Hat Award for the most online tips went to Chefs Tim Lowe, Richard McKellogg and Wes Doub of Lowes Foods for raising $5,345. Chefs Jim Figlar and Winton Jennette of Reynolds American took home the People’s Choice Award for the most tips collected at the event, $2,483.

“We are thrilled that this event continues to be one that garners such wonderful support for our house,” said Kathy Carr, executive director of SECU Family House. “The kitchen is definitely the heart of our homes and meal preparation is such a large part of the services that Family House provides its guests. We love bringing families together over food, and we couldn’t have found a better way to celebrate our mission of providing assistance to adult patients and caregivers who are going through difficult health crises.”

The House has hosted guests from 95 North Carolina counties and 42 states, and over 33,000 patients since opening in 2011. For guests unable to afford the nominal overnight fee, an assistance fund is available, thanks to donations and fundraising events like Men Who Cook.

Major sponsors of Men Who Cook included Wake Forest Baptist Health (Presenting Sponsor), Novant Health, Visit Winston-Salem, Publix Super Markets Charities, and Reynolds American.

More information and photos from Men Who Cook can be found on the Family House website at www.familyhousews.org.

SECU Family House is specially designed to provide affordable, comfortable lodging and support services for families and patients who are in Winston-Salem for treatment of long-term or chronic conditions. It is a place where families who are already facing the heartache and distress of a serious illness can receive support from caring staff and volunteers and share their experiences with other families.