Hi-Line Living: Men who cook for women who wine

Hundreds of people traveled from near and far to attend the ninth annual Men Who Cook for Women Who Wine fundraiser, held Saturday at the Hingham Community Center.

Men from across the Hi-Line prepared various dishes and showcased their culinary skills.

The people who attended this event sampled the dishes and voted for their favorite chefs.

Live and silent auctions gave attendees the chance to bid on items donated by businesses and individuals, including art sculptures.

The proceeds from this fundraiser benefit A Serving of Hope from Men Who Cook, an organization which provides various financial assistance and support to families experiencing serious medical crises. Financial assistance is available to qualifying families living in Phillips, Blaine, Hill and Liberty counties, as well as the Big Sandy census District of Chouteau County.

Joyce Donoven, an organizer of the event has been involved with Men Who Cook for nine years.

"This is one night a year that we all get to come together for a good cause," she said. "It's another year that our whole community pulls together."

Cathie Haas, another organizer of the event, said that about 275 people attended this year's event and approximately $38,000 was raised.

Since 2010, when Serving of Hope was established, more than $100,000 has been made available to those in need.

This year, 13 food stations were set up at Men Who Cook.

From stuffed cucumbers, to bruschetta-wrapped pork tenderloins - a wide array of dishes were displayed.

Julie Clark of Missoula said that this was her second time attending Men Who Cook and she really enjoys how creative the dishes are each year.

"I grew up in this community and I am always amazed at how supportive the whole Hi-Line is," she said. "The cause, of course, is simply amazing."

This year, Darby Donoven, Deven Donoven, Drew Kapperud and Cameron Augare, took first place with their dish, "Cameron's Special." This was their seventh year competing in Men Who Cook.

Darby said "Cameron's Special" consisted of pork and chicken with cheese and herbs.

"Every year we're trying to think of something different," he said.

Darby added that the cause this event supports is "phenomenal."

"It stays local. It's made local - and it helps locally," he said.