Fox Network’s MasterChef 2010 Season One winner Whitney Miller will add an extra dimension to the Starkville Area Arts Council’s Forks & Corks fundraiser July 25-26. The showcase annually features top area chefs with their specialties created for the occasion. In addition this year, Miller will serve tastings of dishes from her cookbook, “Modern Hospitality,” on Friday evening, July 25 at 6:30 p.m. The Poplarville native will also share stories and answer questions about her time on the popular MasterChef television program.
Jay Reed co-chairs Forks & Corks with Robin Fant this year. “We thought having Whitney Miller as part of Forks & Corks would add excitement and splash to an already-great event,” Reed said.
On Saturday afternoon July 26, Miller will conduct a 1:30 p.m. children’s hands-on class at Thyme in Starkville. Children ages 8-14 will make pizzas and mini molten lava cakes.
On Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m., Starkville’s top chefs will compete for culinary prizes and bragging rights. Each chef will prepare tastings of their best dish for attendees and a panel of judges. The judges will give awards for Best Taste, Originality and Presentation. Attendees are tasked with awarding the Best of Forks & Corks Award.
“This year we’ve even added two more chefs to the competition,” Reed noted. The event, which typically features six chefs, will spotlight eight, representing Bin 612, Bombay Spice Kitchen, Central Station Grill, Commodore Bob’s, Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern, Harvey’s, Restaurant Tyler and The Veranda.
How to go
Both evening events will be held at the Dawghouse Sports Grill in the State Theatre building. A limited number of tickets is available online at starkvillearts.org or purchase by phone at 662-324-3080.
Tickets for the July 25 tasting event with Miller are $85 per person or $135 per couple’s package. Tickets include one copy of Miller’s cookbook and a year’s membership to SAAC. (Discounted event tickets for current SAAC members are $50 per person or $85 per couple and include a cookbook.)
Tickets to the July 26 chef’s cookoff are $50 per person (includes two drink tickets).
Tickets for the children’s class are $45.
Miller will also be at Thyme at 10 a.m. July 26 for a cooking demo and cookbook signing. For more information, contact Thyme at 662-323-5979.
“We’ve tried to do something for everybody this year with Forks & Corks,” said Reed. “There’s something for the foodie, for children and for folks who just enjoy a night out.”
Forks & Corks is a fundraiser for the Starkville Area Arts Council and is sponsored by Thyme.
The Starkville Area Arts Council relies on membership dues, patron contributions and designated events to raise funds for community arts grants, arts education grants, arts scholarships and other community arts activities.
More information about the SAAC is available at starkvillearts.org or at the organization’s office at 101 South Lafayette St., Suite 18, in Starkville; or call 662-324-3080.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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