Cooking in Central- Sixth Year Success

By Dave Freneaux

    The sixth annual Cooking in Central, one of Central's premier annual events and fondly referred to as Cookin', grossed over $219,000 this past weekend.  Net procceds after all expenses are expected to approach $190,000 and will benefit all of Central's public, private and parochial schools, as well as the Central Community Assistance Foundation.  A portion of the proceeds will also help to complete work on the property on Blackwater Road which will be the home for Cooking in Central for the next twenty years or more.  This year's event was held at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and featured Central's largest cook-off, live, silent and progressive auctions, performances by local choirs, bands and dance groups, a live band and dance, and a 5,000 pound crawfish boil.  Another highlight of the weekend, at least for Gary Henderson, was the drawing of the winning ticket in the $10,000 raffle.  Newly elected Judge Charlene Day pulled Mr. Henderson's entry on the stage Saturday afternoon.  The weather was great all weekend and the crowds were steady and seemed to have a great time.  Cooking in Central is thankful for the support of the Central community, and Central has much to be grateful for in having such a large group of dedicated citizens involved in staging this exceptional event.

Photos by Michael Spangler for Expressions Photography