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Outside temperatures will dip this month, but things will heat up for the 6th annual Cooks & Books fundraiser Feb. 12 at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa.
The event pairs signature food tastings from 14 local restaurants and the literary talent of 12 Lowcountry authors.
Together, through the love of food and the written word, the event will raise money for Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry, a group of 100 volunteer tutors who help area adults build their reading, writing, speaking and math skills. More than 8,000 locals have received help since LVL’s inception 40 years ago.
“One in nine people have low literacy skills in Beaufort County,” said Dodi Eschenbach, the associate director of development with LVL. “That’s over 10,000 adults who lack basic literacy. They’re not able to fill out an application, read a newspaper beyond a headline, write a check or read to a child. That translates to low-paying jobs, and we want to help people who help themselves.”
This event allows them to do just that, Eschenbach said.
“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year.”
While promoting literacy, Cooks & Books also offers something that everyone likes to do—eat.
“The ‘books’ is part of our mission, and the ‘cooks’ is the fun part of our lives,” Eschenbach said. “What do we enjoy? We enjoy eating.”
And there will be plenty of opportunities to eat throughout the weekend.
The Cooks & Books Preview Party offers an appetizing start to the weekend from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 10 at TidePointe, a retirement community found on Tide Point Way, off Point Comfort Road. The Vi Community is the event’s presenting sponsor.
“It’s something like a gala, and it provides an incredible buffet,” Eschenbach said. “We invite the authors and the chefs to attend, and this allows the guests to have a meet-and-greet.”
Executive Chef and Iron Chef Competitor, Stephen Stewart, will be in charge of the buffet’s dishes.
A silent auction and a showcasing of desserts are included in the $75 ticket price.
If the gala isn’t high on your menu, stop by the Westin from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 12.
Tastings are unlimited with admission to Cooks & Books, and tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Visitors will also have an opportunity to meet a dozen Lowcountry authors and get a taste of the chefs’ competition, “The Heat Is On.” Be sure to vote for a favorite tasting in “The Peoples’ Choice.”
More than 1,000 people attended last year’s Cooks & Books and organizers hope to attract folks who’ve attended before and will want seconds, while attracting new, hungry ones.
Presenting Sponsors
TidePointe – a Vi Community
The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
Patron Sponsors
Hilton Head BMW
Thomas J. & Hillary Baltimore
The following restaurants and authors will participate in this year’s Cooks & Books fundraiser for Literacy Volunteers of the Lowocountry.
Restaurants
Christine’s Catering
Ela’s Grille
Old Fort Pub
Antonio’s
CQ’s
Red Fish
Skillets Grill & Café
Pino Gelato
Trattoria Divina
Palmetto Dunes Club
Mulberry Street Trattoria
Frankie Bones
Chart House
Kenny B’s
Cookies by Design
Authors
Mary Kay Andrews – women’s fiction
Jack Bass – political science
Nathalie Dupree – cookbook author – PBS-TV
Paticia Branning – cookbooks
Ken Burger – fiction
Jim Jordan – historical fiction
C.J. Lyons – medical thrillers
Margo Theis-Raven – children’s books
Sallie Ann Robinson – Gullah cookbooks
Carl T. Smith – historical fiction
Kathy Wall – Lowcountry mystery
David Lynch - photography
