A few well-known Islanders are coming together for a culinary extravaganza in March – all so that kids have the opportunity to play sports.
The second annual Cooking for KidSport – A Culinary Extravaganza will bring together P.E.I. top sports teams on Friday, March 9.
Thanks to the popularity of the Food Network, celebrity chefs are all the rage. Stir that in with Islanders’ love of food and, poof, the perfect fundraiser.
Celebrity teams
- UPEI Panthers – Leigh Reid, Kiera Rigby, Gerard Murphy
- Holland Hurricanes – Lori-Beth Dwyer, Philicia Johnson, Teresa Wright
- Charlottetown Islanders – Craig Foster, Rachelle MacArthur, Ashley Bee
- Island Storm – Tim Kendrick, Tyler Scott, Johnny Novak
- Summerside Western Capitals – Billy McGuigan, Thomas Waugh, Paul M. Schurman
Cooking for KidSport, which raised $16,000 in its inaugural year, will treat guests to a three-course meal at the Culinary Institute of Canada in Charlottetown. While chefs prepare the meal, each celebrity team will be tasked with a black box menu challenge at their own cooking station. There will also be some fun and creative culinary competitions throughout the evening for the celebrity chefs.
Lori-Beth Dwyer, fifth-year volleyball coach at Holland College, one of the celebrity chefs, said she doesn’t have a strategy yet, but it’s all about having some fun for a good cause.
“(It’s about) allowing children who wouldn’t normally have the chance to take part in sports and raising some funds so that they’ll be able to do that,’’ Dwyer said, noting that she works in the athletics department and sees first-hand the benefits of KidSport funding.
“We run lots of activities. We have dance classes and day camps where a lot of people use those funds from KidSport to take part in those activities. It’s nice to be able to see those kids coming out and having a good time.’’
Kiera Rigby, a fifth-year member of the UPEI Panthers women’s basketball team, said she comes armed with no cooking experience whatsoever, so it could be an interesting evening.
“It’s all in good fun. I think the funnier you are the better,’’ Rigby said.
“As a kid, I played sports in P.E.I. forever, so I was heavily involved in KidSport . . . I’m just so happy to be able to contribute back in any way that I can.’’
A major component of the event is a raffle. Tickets are $10 each or three for $20 with proceeds going to KidSport P.E.I. The grand prize is two tickets anywhere WestJet flies but other prizes will be up for grabs as well. Tickets can be purchased at www.cookingforkidsport.ca or by calling Sport P.E.I. at 902-368-4110.
The event will also feature an online auction with sports memorabilia and other retail and travel packages.
A limited number of corporate tables of eight are available at a cost of $750 each.
Each team is also competing in a friendly competition to see which fanbase can generate the most funds. The event website allows Island sports fans to make a pledge to KidSport on behalf of their favourite team. Any donation of $25 or more will receive a tax receipt.
