For a good cause

Red velvet scrumptiousness at Sweetest Chefs of the South!

In every community, there are needs. Arts organizations may struggle to present high-quality programs based on grant monies and tickets sales alone. Community organizations may be working to solve societal problems of hunger and homelessness. Citizen groups may mobilize to restore parks or enhance other public spaces.

When folks gather around missions like these, they often plan charity events to raise the funds they need. Depending on the group, these events can be wildly inventive and tons of fun! I've been to a couple recently (and with the holiday season approaching, more are underway) that were creative and successful.

Sugar highs make for sweet smiles!

Sweetest Chefs of the South benefits an organization called Extra Table, which aims to feed the hungry. Basically, a fun group of chefs bring together colleagues from across the South for one night in Ridgeland, Mississippi. (This year, the event featured chefs from Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida.) Each chef prepares one fabulous dessert (in a tasting portion), sets up their table, and offers the confection to attendees. All night, ticket buyers float from table to table, sampling divine little bites of perfect sugar. At the end of the evening, attendees vote on the offering that's most creative, most flavorful, etc.

There's so much to love about this event. First of all, they pour you a glass of champagne as you walk in. (Yes, please.) After that, it's basically like you're in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, and you're Augustus Gloop! Our little group tried every. single. dessert. And they were DELICIOUS! In addition, you get to talk to the chef at each table about what they prepared and the restaurant where they work. It was very interesting to hear how they came up with their dish, and the chefs were deservedly proud of their creations.

I sit on the board of Ballet Mississippi, a local ballet school and presenting arts organization. The board of directors recently presented its first-ever Ballet and Blues charity event. Held at Hal and Mal's, a Jackson live music institution, the evening featured fried catfish, a full-throated performance by Steven Johnson (son of blues great Robert Johnson), a set by Fred T. and the Band (who played a guitar the color of homemade sin), and sizzling dancing by Brena Thomas from Ailey II. The crowd was diverse, the bar was open and even the silent auction was good. Event though this was a new event on the calendar, the place was PACKED. Big props to my colleagues on the board who put it together. A fantastic evening!

Another big charity event on the Jackson-area calendar coming up is Mistletoe Marketplace. The Jackson Junior League puts this holiday market together each year, and proceeds go toward funding specific Junior League charity projects. (But don't think small here. These ladies have raised enough money to build things like children's hospitals and museums. They aren't playing around over there.) You can buy tickets to shop the market, which brings together hoards of merchants from all over the country. They also create special events that feature yummy food, special shopping hours, etc., in addition to the glittery preview gala that opens the market to the public.