Red Beans and Rice Cook-Off postponed till next year

CCJN marketing director Arlene S. Wieder announced the postponement of the 2nd Red Beans and Rice Cook-Off that had been slated for September 5. The competitive cooking event, which was to be held at Torah Academy as a fundraiser for both the Jewish Community Day School and Torah Academy, required the formation of several teams, each one with their own red beans and rice recipe.

“We were naturally concerned that with just three weeks left, we had not even one team registered,” Wieder explained. “We are rescheduling the event for Labor Day, 2017, which will give us an entire year to prepare and to explain to participants of the necessity of registering for the event in plenty of time.” Wieder, who has considerable experience as a fundraiser, said she regretfully made the decision in order to have time to ensure that it will be a success.

Last year’s event drew a field of six teams and the winner was the Friends of Hadassah. Torah Academy was the recipient of all the funds raised.

The event is held on Labor Day in order to have it take place on a Monday, the traditional day associated with the cooking of red beans in New Orleans. That date next year will be September 4, 2017.

Wieder said she will redouble her efforts to make sure that next year’s Labor Day event will be supported by the various religious institutions and community organizations the cook-off is designed to bring together in a spirit of friendly competition. “Although the cook-off is held at Torah Academy, it is not an Orthodox event. We had hoped that by bringing in the Jewish Community Day School as a partner this year that everyone would understand that.”