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38 | theburgnews.com | 05.18 r aising money is tough, even for a good cause. So, organizations try everything from giving out awards to running 5Ks to get people to support their groups and good deeds. Over the years, some have built fundraisers entirely around food—not as an add-on, but as the main event. So, we set out to get the skinny on a few of the most popular food fundraisers around Harrisburg. centrAL PA suPercheF If you attend the annual Central PA SuperChef event at the Hershey Lodge, you can expect larger portions than the traditional sample size. Samples are demi-sized—about the size of a traditional appetizer. e majority of sponsoring restaurants are standalone establishments, with only a few franchises. "SuperChef gives guests the ability to sample fine dining restaurants at an affordable price," said event planner Abeer Srouji Allen, co-owner of Events by Eye Candy. "Some of the chefs have appeared on cable TV cooking and restaurant makeover shows." SuperChef, which just took place last month, creates awareness and raises funds for various local nonprofits. "A committee chooses different recipient charities each year—those that will have the greatest impact in the local community," Allen said. For 2018, the Alzheimer's Association benefits, with special emphasis on early onset awareness. Past recipients have included Salvation Army, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Mission Central and Project CURE. In 2017, 660 people attended the event, dramatically increasing its turnout since its inception in 2010. From the beginning, SuperChef has raised $182,000 for those non- profits, with 100 percent of proceeds donated after expenses. In conjunction with HACC, Eye Candy is spinning off an amateur version called Homemade SuperChef on June 3, in which 12 home cooks will compete for bragging rights and promote farm products. A percentage of proceeds will be split between New Hope Ministries and e Peyton Walker Foundation. tAste oF centrAL PA ere may be no more natural pairing than the Taste of Central PA and its beneficiary, the Central PA Food Bank. Jennifer Powell, the food bank's director of development and communications, described this synergy. Restaurants, she said, "provide premiere fare to the community while promoting their restaurants, and the food bank receives revenue from ticket sales and sponsorships." For the annual October event, local chefs and bakers spread throughout Strawberry Square with their food samples. Ticket-holders help themselves to as much as they like. Powell said that people enjoy the opportunity to sample signature fare and interact with the chefs. Chew on a Cause Food Fundraisers make, then rake in, the dough. bY gInA nAPoLI Central PA SuperChef. Photos by Roger at! Photography.

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