Real Men Cook® will feature a delicious bounty of food that includes traditional fare and exotic selections from the West Indies, Africa and the Caribbean. There will also be vegan dishes, specialty desserts, and items from the “family secret-recipe vaults.” At least three chefs with New Orleans roots promise to delight with their dishes. Salads, greens, fruits and vegetables help promote health and wellness and there will be an array of healing foods including the Real Men Charities’ Collard Greens Salad.
Samples of the tasty offerings will be available for eager palates at the Real Men Cook Father’s Day celebration June 19 from 3-6 PM at the Quarry Event Center, 2423 E. 75th Street.
Now in its 33rd year, the event is presented by Real Men Charities, the non-profit organization that umbrellas Real Men Cook. Proceeds from the event will go to Real Men Charities, which is devoted to “positively changing the way the world views Black men in relationship to their families and the communities.” The overall mission of Real Men Cook is to showcase Black fathers on Father’s Day serving their families and community. This is a tradition that has become synonymous with Real Men Love.
Real Men Cook is the hallmark, annual event that attracts fathers and father figures who give up a Father’s Day of pampering to cook, grill and bake for the community, which highly anticipates this celebration and comes every year. First-time guests find the event thrilling and vow to come back each year as the love, spirit and vibe have made them faithful supporters.
Veteran chefs, weekend cooks, restauranters and those who tout their unique recipe will spread out throughout the Quarry to cook and serve the community for charity. Grillers will spread out in the back patio to prepare smoked and grilled dishes.
Guests move from station to station where they sample their favorite dishes.
“We are delighted with the vast array of food offerings that will satisfy every conceivable taste bud,” said Rael Jackson, President and Program Manager.
Added Co-Founder and Real Men Charities’ CEO, Yvette Moyo, “For us, Father’s Day is highly important. Over the years we’ve elevated the importance and dispelled negatives often blanketed over Black fathers although our reality is engaged men. The bundling of all Black men into one huge negative story has got to stop! Through Real Men Cook and the activities that promote Black men year-round, we turn the spotlight on the doers and the givers. Cooking is the hook we use to show gratitude for men who make their fatherhood, ‘step-fatherhood,’ coaching or even cooking serve as an anchor, model and strong force in having our children grow up loving and contributing.”
Jackson and Moyo invite the community to purchase tickets to the all-you-can sample event. Advance online tickets are recommended and are $25 for adults; $10 for children. Face painting, a teen scene and activities for children are also planned during the indoor/outdoor event. Tickets can be purchased at https://eventnoire.com/e/real-men-cook-33rd-annual-fathers-day-event.
Sponsors are University of Chicago Medicine and The Fresh Market, with support from Moo & Oink, Chase Bank and Rush Hospital.
For more information on Real Men Cook visit www.RealMenCook.com.
