PORTSMOUTH — The 8th Annual Celebrity Chef Dinner and Silent Auction is Tuesday, March 1, at the Friends Community Center, with doors opening at 6 p.m.
This exciting event, sponsored by The Counseling Center, is a fundraiser for the Summer Outreach Club, now in its 27th year. The Summer Outreach Club, a part of prevention and outreach services, is a nine-week summer day camp program that is free to children ages 5-12 in Scioto County and beyond.
The camp offers free breakfast and lunch, motivational, educational and recreational activities in a hands-on learning environment, all while partnering with multiple community agencies and volunteers within the area who graciously teach classes, mentor and support the over 120 kids each day.
Every year the success of the event is due to the participants that partner with Celebrity Chef Committee planners to make this event a huge success for area kids who attend the program. From now until March 1, this year’s chefs will be featured discussing their love of cooking and the dish they will be preparing.
This event would not be possible with these talented, philanthropic, community stars who often give of their time and talents to support positive community initiatives. This week’s feature chefs are Carolyn Lemons and Dawn Keller-Phillips, Brent Hill and Wendi Waugh and Kara Redoutey.
Celebrity Chefs bios:
Carolyn Lemons
Job Title: Speech Language Pathologist. South Central Ohio Educational Service Center.
My Fondest cooking memory:
My fondest cooking memories take me back to my mother’s kitchen. She worked hard to make sure we all sat down to dinner every evening. Sunday dinner after church was always very special. My mother made beautiful meals. I remember her rolling pie dough and baking cakes, but most of all I remember the smell of her homemade bread. There was nothing better than a warm bun right out of the oven with melted butter and jam.
How long I have lived in the community:
I have lived in Wheelersburg since 1972. Our family came from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania when I was 10 years old.
Favorite Food:
I love all types of food! The diverse ethnic cultures found in my parents hometown greatly influenced my mother’s cooking. My maternal grandmother was Italian, born of Italian immigrants. My grandfather was German. My father’s parents have a Scotch – Irish background. The steel town they grew up in attracted many European immigrants to work the mills and the mines. Because of this diversity, the old cookbooks from my grandparent’s hometown churches have the best recipes! I especially love the Italian food, though, because my Grandmother loved to cook for us. Her gnocchi was the best!
Who inspires me:
Many people have inspired me throughout my life. My parents taught me the basics. Love God first. Be kind to others. Always try your best at whatever you do. They are wonderful and have inspired me my whole life.
My husband, Judge Alan Lemons, has also been such an awesome inspiration to me. He shows love everyday to the children with whom he comes in contact. He works hard to find programs to help them overcome their daily obstacles.
Drug addiction is taking over our families. The children are the ones who suffer. This situation is leaving many children without parental guidance, clean homes, and basic necessities. He is working diligently to keep our county’s children in safekeeping.
Sandy Smith, my friend, co-worker, and principal of Bloom Vernon Elementary School is truly an angel sent to help the children of our community. She works tirelessly to see that every child in our school is fed, clothed, has a warm blanket at night, mittens, turkey on the table at Thanksgiving, and a present under the tree at Christmas. She has an army to help her because her energy is contagious. She is the inspiration for all of us to do just a little more.
Mark and Virgie Hunter and their work with the Steven Hunter Hope Fund have also helped countless children get the food that they need through their backpack program. If you ask Mark and Virgie why their program has grown and been so successful, they will give all of the glory to God. Again, angels surround us! Their work for the children and all of the people in our community is so inspiring.
Why I wanted to be a part of the Celebrity Chef dinner:
I am so proud to be a celebrity chef! The Counseling Center’s Summer Outreach Club will touch so many children in our county. Our children are our future and I feel strongly that this is where we need to focus all of our energy. Making a difference in the lives of each of these children will hopefully be that one thing that turns their attention to wanting to do something really extraordinary with their own lives and continue on to make a difference in the lives of the people they touch.
Our Appetizer:
In keeping with the Cowboy Cuisine theme, we are going to make Skillet Cobbler.
It will be made with simple ingredients; flour, sugar, milk, butter, and berries. This dish could easily be made over an open fire out on the range, but I think we will probably make it in an oven instead.
Dawn Keller-Phillips
Job Title & Company: Court Administrator, Scioto County Probate and Juvenile Court
My Fondest Cooking Memory:
Going to my brother Jason’s house for every holiday for the last 20 years. We cook and laugh all day. I cherish those times with my brothers, sister and all our kids.
How long I have lived and worked in the community:
I have lived here all my life. I love my career. I worked for Judge Kirsch for almost 30 years, and now Judge Lemons. I have total respect and love for both of them. Not only are they great judges, they are great men.
Favorite Food:
I love my husband’s prime rib. He’s an awesome cook.
Who inspires me to do good?
My dad, Carl Crabtree. He worked at the steel mill for 41 years, and never missed a day of work. He is currently serving his 49th year on Valley School Board. He is such a wonderful father, with a great work ethic. He has given his life to his children, grandchildren and the Valley community.
My children Erica, Tyler and Luke inspire me. I want them to be proud of me. I was a single parent, so raising three beautiful children to love God, and be happy, healthy, responsible adults is my greatest joy in life.
Judge Kirsch has had a huge impact in my life, as well as so many others in our community. Whenever we had issues to deal with at work, he would always tell me to “take the high road.”
Judge Lemons has definitely earned my respect. He is such a hard worker, and he truly cares about the juveniles, their families and this community. It is a pleasure working for him.
Why did I want to be a part of Celebrity Chef Dinner?
It is an honor getting to be a part of the Celebrity Chef. I am thankful I get the opportunity to help support this great program.
Brent Hill
Job title and company: Marketing Director at Smith’s Pharmacy.
What is your fondest cooking memory? Cooking for Sundance Film Festival when I had my restaurant in Park City, Utah
How long have your lived/worked in the community?
I have lived and worked here for five years.
What is your favorite food? Italian, Any kind.
What or who inspires you to do good, and why?
The idea that we are all going through this rat race called life and we just want to do right by others and get home to our family.
Why did you want to be a part of the celebrity chef dinner?
To help raise money for the charity
Do you know what appetizer you will be making and if so, what is it?
Yes, Tasty Texas Cajun Gulf Shrimp.
Wendi Waugh
Job title & company: Director of SOMC Cancer Services and Community Health & Wellness
What is your fondest cooking memory?
My fondest cooking memories are related to family
traditions and recipes that have been passed from generation to generation. One of those for our family is a special torte. I remember my great grandmother preparing it, then my grandmother, and now my mother. Our holiday is not the same without it.
How long have your lived/worked in the community?
I have been working in the community for 30 years but only recently moved to the community. I relocated from Jackson County to Scioto County within the last 18 months.
What is your favorite food?
Lasagna and Greek salad.
What or who inspires you to do good, and why?
My quest to do good is just innate. I always wanted to be good, to please my parents, to please my employers, and ultimately to help people. Certainly, I have not been without help in my lifetime and I know how important it has been to me so I aspire to do the same for others.
Why did you want to be a part of the celebrity chef dinner? I know that the services that the Counseling Center offers are critical to our community and this is just another way that I can help.
Do you know what appetizer you will be making and if so, what is it?
Yikes! No. Kara and I will put our heads together but at this point I have no idea.
Kara Redoutey
Job title & company: Administrative Director Community Relations/Development – Southern Ohio Medical Center
What is your fondest cooking memory?
I helped my Mom cook on Sunday afternoons after church when I was young. I won’t ever cook as well as she does, but I always enjoyed spending that time with her and learning her recipes.
How long have your lived/worked in the community?
I grew up in Scioto County and have always loved our community. I started working for SOMC in 2009 and have enjoyed every minute of it
What is your favorite food?
I love mashed potatoes.
What or who inspires you to do good, and why?
The people in our community inspire me to work hard to build and strengthen our community. Everywhere I go, I meet people who are engaged in various efforts to give back, make a difference, and enhance our community. In my opinion, the best and most inspiring thing about our community continues to be the people here.
Why did you want to be a part of the celebrity chef dinner?
I support The Counseling Center’s mission and value organizations who focus on making our community a better place.
Do you know what appetizer you will be making and if so, what is it?
Bacon wrapped dates & bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers.
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