'Plainfield Cooks' eat-for-scholarships event today

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Some of Plainfield's finest cooks will provide samples of their best dishes for the delight of hungry food fans and to raise money for scholarships at 'Plainfield Cooks' this afternoon

'Plainfield Cooks' returns as the premier scholarship fundraiser for Plainfield High School seniors who 'Beat The Odds.' Proceeds of the event provide scholarship aid to students who have overcome some adversity in making it through high school and being accepted into a college or university.

"Some have overcome health issues in their family, or been raised by a single parent or have had to deal with homelessness or other stressful adversities," said Tracy Bennett, Plainfield's tax assessor and one of the event's founders.

Chef participants cook up a storm and the public gets to sample everyone's specialties, as well as browse vendor booths and bid on silent auction items.

Tiffany Thompson, a 1999 Plainfield High graduate who was the first recipient of a 'Beat the Odds' scholarship is expected to attend Saturday's event.


"I can't tell you how much the scholarship meant to me," Ms. Thompson says, "as I lost my father to AIDS when I was in 8th grade, and my high school years were very hard for my mother. The scholarship really helped me get my college education off to a good start, and I appreciate the hard work that the volunteers have put into the 'Plainfield Cooks' project to make the scholarships available."

Ms. Thompson is a graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, and is now an analyst with Accenture, the services consulting firm.

Today's event will honor the late 'Pepsi' Charles and Leland Paul Michael, founding and guiding spirits of the project, which has given thousands of dollars in scholarships over the last seven years.

'Plainfield Cooks' is today, Noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Washington School Cafetorium, 427 Darrow Avenue, Plainfield.

Tickets available at the door. $20 for adults, and $10 for those over 55 and between the ages of 5 and 10. Children under 4 are admitted free with their families.

'Plainfield Cooks' is sponsored by the Plainfield Public Schools' School-Based Youth Services program and the volunteers of the Plainfield Cooks Committee.

-- Dan Damon

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