CALLING ALL COOKS!

West Behavioral is looking for area cooks who are interested in showing off their skills for a worthy cause.

The Cookin’ Up Autism Awareness Cook-off will be held on Saturday, June 1, at the Friends Supporting Friends Event Center.

“We are currently registering chefs who would like to participate in the event,” said West Behavioral founder and director Lindy West. “Each four person team will cost $60 and teams can prepare any meal that can be served over rice.”

Lindy said the fundraiser would help to bring awareness of children with autism and also how people can actually take action to help those affected.

“A lot of times we focus on awareness. We not only want people to be aware of the condition but we would also like to inform the community on what we can do to help these children live a full life,” said West. “Acceptance helps bring these children into the community and gives them the opportunity to be included in things other kids their age have access to as well.”

West said parents of children with autism are often leery to leave home and go out in the public with their children. She said it is often difficult and overwhelming to take a child who has communication problems or other special needs into the public.

“It is important for people to know how they can help in these situations,” said West.

West said rice will be provided and cooks may arrive at 8 a.m. on the day of the event. Early registration is suggested but she said cooks could still sign up on the day of the event.

At 10 a.m., the doors will open to the public.

In the past, West said they have seen a variety of dishes.

“Of course we see a lot of gumbos, etouffee and red beans,” said West. “Some people were creative and prepared ribs with rice dressing, crab stew or deer meat in a gravy, which was really good.”

The public can purchase a ticket for $5 to taste as many dishes as they would like, West said.

“We will award first place prizes for People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice,” said West. “We normally give them a plaque and gift.”

An auction will take place and West said they would continue to collect donations until May 15.

“So far we have been given a bench and a picnic table along with various other items. We do expect to have ice chests filled with meat donated as they have been in the past,” said West.

Proceeds from the event will go towards West Behavioral’s scholarship fund, which helps pay for treatment for children with autism who otherwise would be unable to afford it, West said.

“This way there’s no financial need that would completely disqualify them from our services,” she said. “Our services include applied behavior analysis, which teaches autism sufferers functional and daily living skills, as well as learning to learn skills. We teach those skills through reinforcement. We look at behavior for that specific individual and create goals for them and help them achieve those goals through reinforcement.”

To register for the event or to donate items, contact West at (337) 246-7525 or by email at lindy@westbehavioral.com.