Cooking event the right recipe for fundraising at Meals on Wheels Plus

While a group of 37 people enjoyed the Cooking for Charity event Sept. 28 at Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee in Bradenton, the best moment had nothing to do with charity.

It was time to eat.

And that is what those who bought tickets came to do, taste a meal prepared by celebrity chef Angela Massaro-Fain, who prepared recipes with the help of those in her audience, right out of her book "Bacio di Cucina."

There was lemon pasta, pesto pasta, and cheese tortellini with Alfredo sauce for the main courses. A spinach salad with strawberries was whipped up and Massaro-Fain served up some candied, sliced almonds.

The event was the brainchild of Meals on Wheels-Plus President and CEO Maribeth Phillips, who had taken one of Massaro-Fain's cooking classes. Massaro-Fain is the founder of Sisterhood for Good of Lakewood Ranch, so the two non-profits partnered on the event and split the proceeds 50-50.

Six of those who attended were chosen by random to assist Massaro-Fain as the meal was prepared. Melissa Ferlazzo, Meals on Wheels-Plus' donor relations and database administrator, feed a video feed from above the kitchen island to several big screens so the audience could watch each step.

Besides earning some funds for the nonprofits, Meals on Wheels Vice President Judi Bjork said the event showcased the Nutrition Services Center, which available to nonprofits and schools.