Cooking for Education program supports Virgin Valley Elementary School

Executive Chef Scott McGlinchey from the Eureka Resort making an Exotic Mushroom Pasta. Submitted Photo.

Executive Chef Scott McGlinchey from the Eureka Resort making an Exotic Mushroom Pasta. Submitted Photo.

When it comes to kids and cooking – Sun City Mesquite residents are passionate. Residents at the Del Webb community hosted a Cooking for Education fund raiser earlier this month and raised $18,000 for local school reading programs.

“We had staggering results,” said Deborah Demos, lifestyle director at Sun City Mesquite who helped coordinate the event with resident and HOA staff and volunteers. “The Sun City Mesquite community was so generous in supporting this event with their time, talents and donations. As a daughter of school teachers, I know the importance of education – and it all starts with reading.”

The Cooking for Education event featured cooking demonstrations in the community’s three new model home kitchens by top local executive chefs where participants enjoyed great food and wine tasting. Chef Scott from Eureka Casino Resort, 1880 Grille’s Chef Ian and Pastry Chef Steve Brown demonstrated their culinary talents with delicious dishes such as pancetta wrapped asparagus with garlic tarragon aioli, exotic mushrooms and pasta, and chocolate mousse topped with ganache.

Pastry Chef Steve Brown from the Eureka piping Chocolate Mousse onto a chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie. Submitted Photo.

Pastry Chef Steve Brown from the Eureka piping Chocolate Mousse onto a chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie. Submitted Photo.

Following the cooking demonstrations, residents participated in raffles and bid on more than 180 silent auction items that featured everything from private parties to house cleaning to spa visits. Bidding on the silent auction items started several weeks before the actual event to allow even more residents to participate, Demos said.

The funds will support Mesquite Reads, a community initiative at the Virgin Valley Elementary School that helps students through second grade reach their proper reading level. The program is part of the Eureka Community Initiative program, which supports a myriad of local charities and schools, said Gerri Chasko, resort services manager for Eureka Casino Resort.

Mike Rye and JD Dearing with the Mesquite Show Girls. Submitted Photo.

Mike Rye and JD Dearing with the Mesquite Show Girls. Submitted Photo.