Battle of Sauces raises dough for playground project

0
88

Sauce

NAUGATUCK — In the Naugatuck Elks’ Battle of the Sauces, it was the Sandy Ground Playground Project — Where Angels Play that won.

The Elks hosted the fundraising event Jan. 25. The Battle of the Sauces pit nine amateur chefs and their homemade pasta sauces — from Cajon Smoked Sausage to Penne ala Vodka — against each other in the name of charity.

Aside from paying admission to the event, guests cast their vote for their favorite sauce via monetary donations. The lodge also held raffles with donations from many area stores and restaurants.

According to a press release issued by the Elks Lodge, the event raised $2,000. The money will benefit the Sandy Ground Playground Project — Where Angels Play, a program that is building 26 playgrounds across the state both in memory of the children who died at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the December 2012 shooting and to help beautify areas that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

Mayor Robert Mezzo and Tax Collector Jim Goggin were among the many guests who enjoyed the fine cooking and fun during the evening. They stayed in perfect political correctness and stated their votes were a secret, according to the release.

The winning chef was Lorraine Ardry. She won a supersize pasta bowl donated by a member of the Naugatuck Elks 967. Beth Perugini and Linda Sabio came in second and third place respectively.

The Battle of the Sauces Committee thanked the Emblem Club No. 160 ladies, area stores and restaurants for their donations and the many volunteers who helped raise money for this great cause, the release stated.