Annual food event raises $69K for WISD Education Foundation

Kangaroo Stadium may host many sporting events throughout the year but no competitions are as delicious as the Taste of Education held there Saturday, Sept. 19. 

More than 30 chef teams from across the Weatherford community and school district lined the concourse of the stadium, serving their appetizer, side dish, entrée or dessert of choice for attendees to enjoy and then vote on their favorites in each category. 

Each team prepared a favorite recipe and served it in 2-ounce samples, giving guests the chance to taste their way through a variety of dishes. Attendees were encouraged to sample as many as they liked before voting. Everything from nacho shots to peach cake pops were available.

Sponsored by SouthWest Ford, the annual fundraiser for Weatherford ISD raised $69,000 this year, said Charlotte LaGrone, executive director of the WISD Education Foundation. 

“We couldn’t do this without our community,” she said leading up to the event. 

Weatherford High School was well represented as, thanks to sponsors Russ and Linda Authier and Jeff and Laura Geyer, four chef teams were fielded. Each team focused on one category and the WHS Advanced Culinary Arts walked away with a first-place side dish — Roo Dat! Bayou Biscuit Bites – and the WHS Culinary Arts team came in “almost first place” with their Roo’s Sweet Heat Bites appetizer. Additionally, the WISD Intro to Culinary Arts team was runner-up in the dessert category with its Mimi Roo Pear & Mascarpone Cups. 

“Our Culinary Arts teams have participated in the Taste event for several years,” LaGrone said by email. “Having sponsors this year helped them defray the cost of preparing their dishes and decorating their booths.” 

Richard Hunt, WHS Culinary Arts teacher, said the first-place students were learning and growing by being at the event, and the team of senior Joy Bejjani and juniors Madison Baroch and Presley Phillips “threw together” their winning entry. 

“We love showcasing the outstanding dishes served by our Culinary Arts/BBQ team, but also showcasing this outstanding program offered at Weatherford High School,” LaGrone said.

WISD Superintendent Dr. Sean Scott experienced his first Taste of Education evening since joining the district and said it was something he’ll look forward from now on. 

“All of [the food] is really good,” he said. “This is great.”

In addition to the noshings, a contest on best booth décor was also held so each team was able to share its creativity and lure attendees to attempt to win their vote. 

Coming in first was PlainsCapital Bank, which had a Mo Money theme to go with their Mo Meatballs. The bank’s buffalo mascot, Mo, was also in attendance. JRJ Construction came in second as toy construction equipment adorned its table alongside a chile lime elote dip.  

The event was the second of two fundraisers held last week, with North Texas Giving Day preceding it on Thursday, Sept. 17. Combined, LaGrone said a total of $150,000 was raised. 

Other winners included:

First-place appetizer — Brisket Egg Rolls by Texas Butane Company Inc.

Almost 1st Place Side Dish – Street Corn – Elote in a Cup by the Weatherford Public Library.

First-place Entrée – Pork Tacos with Vinegar Sauce by the WISD School Board Members Almost 1st Place Entrée - BBQ Loaded Baked Potato by Buffalo Equipment Rental.