First Annual Grilled Cheese Showdown Nigh

Wednesday, February 14, 5:30 p.m., Orcas School Cafeteria

— from Janet Brownell —

The Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF) invites you to the First Annual Grilled Cheese Showdown. Yes, you read correctly grilled cheese.

This family-friendly fundraiser takes place on Wednesday, February 14 starting at 5:30 in the public school cafeteria. Your admittance entitles you to soup and to six grilled cheese sandwich tastings. (Note: each “taste” is a quarter of a sandwich – so you will be enjoying a sandwich and a half of deliciousness.) There will also be a “Bake Sale.” And, don’t forget – YOU get to vote for the winning sandwich.

The chefs of this event are: Kyle Freeman (OISD High and Middle School Principal), Hilary Canty (OICF Exec Director and sponsored by Island Market), Janet Brownell (OISD School Board), Mia Kartiganer (owner Mia’s Café), Chris Hogle, (owner Wild Island Juice, Bagel and Bowl), and Wendy Thomas (Star Route Kitchen and goat herdess).

And why grilled cheese? Wendy Thomas puts it best: “Grilled cheese defines home and comfort. Family gathered on a rainy evening. The wafting smells of bread grilling in browned butter, the vision of cheese oozing over the edges of the bread. Just think of the power of the words “grilled cheese.” You don’t even need “sandwich” at the end to know what it means. We all have similar memories of this creation.”

Join us for what will be a tasty fundraiser. All proceeds will benefit the Orcas Island Education foundation, whose mission is to support our public schools. As Chris Hogle noted when asked to participate in the event, “It is up us to contribute to our schools as our elected representatives, from local to federal, do not support education as the priority it should be. It should be the most important thing they do, as our children are our most important natural resource.”

Tickets will be available at the door: Adults $10, Children under 14 $5, and Families (up to four members) $25. For more information about OIEF, visit: oief.org.