Fabulous food cooked by Waco notables will be the name of the game Feb. 17. That’s the date for the sixth-annual H-E-B Celebrity Cook Off, which benefits the Waco ISD Education Foundation. The popular event will run from 7 to 9 p.m. at the MCC Conference Center.

While Waco’s elite whip up their favorite dishes, guests will be able to sample the fare and enjoy complimentary wine. The chefs are remaining tight-lipped about their menus so far, but last year’s entrées included Osso Bucco, bison chili, and shrimp and grits. The desserts were equally yummy with offerings such as Bananas Foster and bourbon praline ice cream.

Chefs compete for the honor of Top Chef, Best Appetizer, Best Entrée, Best Dessert and Best Presentation. Returning celebrity chefs include McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna, MCC President Johnette McKown, Waco Mayor Jim Bush, radio personalities Dustin Drew and Beth Richards, Jim and Nell Hawkins, Gourmet Gallery’s Karyn Miller, Kim and Evan Klaras, and former Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy. Terlingua International Chili Championship winner Larry Walton will take part and hopefully make some of that award-winning chili (see his story on Page 64). So far, the event has 20 chefs confirmed for the evening.

Alex Eichenberg (right), a Waco ISD Education Foundation board member, leads an exciting round of Spin & Win at last year’s H-E-B Celebrity Cook Off.
Photo by Mary Senter

Guests can participate in giveaways, a silent auction and a Spin-and-Win game. For $20 a spin on the wheel, contestants can try for prizes ranging in value from $25 to $100. Everyone who attends is eligible for a reverse-raffle giveaway of $10,000 in H-E-B gift cards sponsored by Coca-Cola.

Participants also can bid in a live auction that includes a trip to see the “Dancing with the Stars” TV show live; a trip for four to Napa Valley, Calif.; and a catered dinner for 10 from H-E-B. The live auction is sponsored by Central National Bank.

Tables for eight are still available for $1,200, which includes entry for each individual in the $10,000 gift card giveaway. Last year, the cook off sold out two weeks before the event and is on track to do the same this year, so don’t delay in putting together a table. For more information, call the foundation at 755-9517.

Last year’s cook off raised more than $65,000 for the Waco ISD Education Foundation. It works to fund classroom projects and field trips that will enhance education and provide interactive ways Waco ISD students can learn. These grants support creative classroom projects in Waco, focusing on early childhood education, advanced students, extended education for staff, and student performance.

In March, the foundation will reach $1 million in classroom grants to Waco ISD teachers. To date, it has awarded $991,429.39 in 300 grants.

Dancing stars

Waco celebrities won’t only be concocting fabulous food this month. Six local notables will be tearing up the dance floor at the Lake Brazos Rotary Club’s inaugural “Dancing with the Stars of Waco.”

This new event on Feb. 3 at the Phoenix Ballroom will be modeled after the popular television show and will benefit Talitha Koum Institute, a nonprofit organization that helps at-risk children and their families from the Kate Ross neighborhood of South Waco through an intensive nurture program.

Former Baylor basketball player and fan favorite Mamadou Diene will compete in “Dancing with the Stars of Waco.”
Photo by Rod Aydelotte

Six “stars” have signed on to show off their fancy footwork. In December, they were introduced to their partners, local dance instructors who have graciously donated their time and talents. Working together, they identified their dance genre and selected their own music.

Each couple will perform one dance of about two minutes in length. Expect to see anything from the waltz to fox trot to maybe even a Charleston. Taking part will be Channel 25 anchor Ann Harder, former Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy, Amy Hunter of Jeff Hunter Toyota, Peter Kultgen of Bird-Kultgen Ford, Hatch Bailey of Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey funeral home, and former Baylor basketball star Mamadou Diene.

The esteemed panel of judges will include Jim Vaughan, president of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce; Mark Smith, president of the Lake Brazos Rotary Club; and Nan Holmes, executive director of Talitha Koum. The judges may award marks and offer commentary, but everyone will go home a winner.

“Our hope is that this will become the Lake Brazos Rotary Club’s signature annual fundraising event for our community,” said Dean Riley, the club’s vice president of public relations.

“Dancing with the Stars of Waco” will begin with a cocktail hour and silent auction at 6:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. a buffet dinner will be served and footage will be shown of Talitha Koum and of the dance rehearsals. The dancing will begin at 8:30 p.m.

Tickets cost $75 a person or $600 for a table for 10. If you’re interested in tickets, email dwtswaco@gmail.com.

Hearts in the Arts Gala

Back when I was a junior at Waco’s old Richfield High School, I was in a school performance of the musical “Pippin.” Our brilliant drama teacher, J.E. Masters, had gotten Jerry MacLauchlin to be choreographer. MacLauchlin had just returned to Waco from working in theater in New York City.

We were flabbergasted to discover we would learn from a man who had worked with Bob Fosse, Martha Graham and other Broadway legends. I can still remember many of the lyrics and some of the dance steps Jerry taught us. So imagine my delight when I learned that McLennan Community College’s McLennan Theatre will present “Pippin” in February, to be directed and choreographed by none other than Jerry MacLauchlin.

The MCC Foundation will hold its Hearts in the Arts Gala at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 and the evening will include a performance of “Pippin.” But not only that, guests will enjoy a scrumptious cocktail dinner buffet at the home of Dr. Steve and Sharron Cutbirth before the performance and a dessert reception with the cast afterward. Tickets cost $65 each or $130 a couple.

The foundation will hold its third annual jewelry raffle to coincide with the gala. “Glam for Good” will raffle a stunning 2.5-carat diamond and 14-karat white gold bangle bracelet, valued at $3,000. Only 500 raffle tickets will be sold and the winner will be announced Feb. 23. Tickets cost $25 each, two for $40 or six for $100.

All proceeds benefit the MCC Foundation, which provides scholarship funds to all students at MCC, not just those in the performing arts. Since its inception in 1990, the MCC Foundation has awarded more than 3,445 student scholarships totaling about $3.41 million. The foundation holds two fundraisers each year — the spring gala and a fall golf tournament.

To buy tickets to the gala or the raffle, contact the foundation office at 299-8606 or email Rose DeLeon at rdeleon@mclennan.edu.

“Pippin” is a fantastical version of the life and times Emperor Charlemagne’s son. Pippin, a wide-eyed youth, has returned to his father’s European court from the university and seeks the source of true happiness. The musical features songs such as “Magic to Do” and “Corner of the Sky.”

“Pippin” opens Feb. 22 and runs through Feb. 26 at the Ball Performing Arts Center. Tickets cost $10-12 for general admission. Contact the MCC box office at 299-8200 for more information.

Mission Waco turns 20

Mission Waco is celebrating its 20th year in ministry and will hold a banquet on Feb. 7 to mark the occasion.

“Looking Back/Looking Forward!” will begin at 6 p.m. at the Waco Convention Center and feature keynote speaker Dr. Scott Todd, senior ministry adviser in the president’s office at Compassion International.

Dr. Scott Todd, senior ministry adviser to the president of Compassion International, will be keynote speaker at Mission Waco’s 20th anniversary Feb. 7.

Mission Waco founder and executive director Jimmy Dorrell will give a brief overview of how Mission Waco began. Videos will be shown, including one about a young schoolteacher in Waco who was among the first children in the program. Another will be about a man who watched North 15th Street/Colcord Avenue change with the emergence of Mission Waco. Another will feature a young couple who met while at Baylor as Mission Waco volunteers and now have worked in South Asia for eight years.

Program booths will be set up around Chisholm Hall to show the work the organization does with at-risk children and youths, addicts, the homeless, the unemployed and the uninsured sick.

Todd plans to talk about the dramatic impact Christians are making throughout the world to alleviate poverty and childhood diseases. He oversees Compassion’s global advocacy efforts and represents the organization in networks focused on mission, development and children. Prior to his work at Compassion, Todd was a medical research scientist. He is now a renowned expert on global poverty and has spoken worldwide on the subject.

Although Mission Waco was born as a program in 1992, it really got its start in 1977 when Dorrell and his wife, Janet, moved into an old two-story house in North Waco, across the street from a bar called the Chat and Chew.

“What once had been the ‘nice neighborhood’ had deteriorated into incredible blight, complete with drug dealers, crime, prostitution, racism and poverty,” Dorrell said. “Friends and relatives questioned our decision, especially with two young children alongside. We understood the risks, but genuinely believed part of God’s call was to live among those we believed He was calling us to serve and love. And what a journey it has been. We never imagined how meaningful and life-changing such a decision could be for us and so many others.”

From its humble beginnings, Mission Waco is now a community-wide ministry that has served thousands. Through the support of churches, businesses and individuals, Mission Waco has expanded to 15 programs with almost 50 staff members in nine buildings that the organization bought and remodeled. Mission Waco even has a community theater and restaurant in buildings that once were condemned and sat empty.

Not only are the poor being served, but last year almost 1,000 participants went through Mission Waco’s weekend poverty simulation program. Hundreds more volunteered and did work projects in Waco. Others have worked in Haiti, Mexico City and India to do Christian community development in some of the world’s poorest areas.

Tickets to the banquet cost $40 per person with tables for 10 also available. Dorrell hopes to have 1,000 people attend. For more information, call 753-4900.

By day, Around Town columnist Julie Carlson is director of communications for Baylor Law School. She’s always looking for interesting tidbits for her column. She can be reached at julie_carlson@baylor.edu.

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