CADA ‘Taste n’ Tell’ event set for Oct. 16

It’s that time of year again. Communities Against Domestic Abuse (CADA) will be hosting their “Taste n’ Tell” fundraiser event to raise funds to help them provide a safe environment and guidance for survivors of domestic abuse.

“Taste n’ Tell” is CADA’s premier fundraising event, and is being held at the Grand Marais Courtyard, located at 919 North Lake Arthur Ave.at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16. Tickets can be purchased for $20 each at the door.

This year, 18 cook teams composed of area businesses and elected officials, will donate their time to make the event a success.

“Each team is asked to make a $500 donation or obtain a corporate sponsor,” said organizer Bernadine Daboval.

There are four categories in which these teams compete including appetizers, side dishes and salads, entrees and desserts.

There will be a variety of dishes to “taste and tell” about this year, Daboval said.

Appetizers will include tamales made by the Jennings and Welsh Rotary clubs, seafood chowder prepared by Sheriff Ivy Woods, “Harvest Mud” by Dr. Avinash Murphy and Dr. Ryan Edwards; shrimp ceviche by Amy Nyberg, Collen Desselle and Big Easy Foods, “Jack’s Magical Bean Soup” by Mid South Bank staff, pork sliders by Lisa Caron of The Bank and “Bloody Mary Shrimp Shooters” by Bo LeJeune with Intertek.

This year’s entrée list includes alligator sauce piquante by Rocky Blanchard, southern jambalaya by Quinton Noel, seafood gumbo by Mike Walker and Debbie Abshire-Sonnier, pork steaks and boudin by Mr. T’s, white beans and jambalaya by Tim Guinn and “Pastalaya” by Jeff LaBouve.

Donnie Daigle will prepare a side dish of twicebaked potatoes.

Three teams are serving desserts including “Spiked Apple Bread Pudding” by SOWELA Technical Community College culinary students, “Blow Dryer and Scissor” cookies from Salon Couture and CADA’s “Chocolate Chip Surprise.”

Each cook team selects a theme to go along with their recipes, as well as decorates a booth. Some dress in elaborate costumes to match their theme.

The dishes are judged by attendees, who get to sample all of the delicacies on hand. Throughout the evening, guests will use CADA bucks to vote for their favorite dish. The booth that accumulates the most bucks by the end of the night is nominated as overall winner of the People’s Choice Award. The competiton also includes the best-decorated table.

This year’s MC will be Ronnie Petree and saxonphonist Marcus Davis will provide musical entertainment.

Other activities will include a live and a silent auction where guests can bid on items donated from around the community.

Organizers have added the Parade of Prizes this year. Items will be “paraded” in front of guests. Guests will be given the opportunity to buy tickets for these items and drawings will be held to determine the winner. Tickets will be sold for $1 each or six for $5.

“All donated auction items are greatly appreciated and tax deductible,” said Executive Director Lacey Guidry.

Anyone that would like to donate items can contact

Guidry at (337) 616-8418 or by email at jdcadaorg@yahoo.com.

“A CADA representive will pick up your generous donation,” said Guidry.

A variety of auction items have already been collected including a necklace and toggle from Mona Arceneaux, a barbecue pit from Jennings High School FFA, an LSU Crown Royal Dispenser from Frosty Strickland, a two-hour musical performance by Marcus Davis, a framed print from Deidra Reed, a duck hunt from Tom McDonald, the dessert of the month from CADA, outdoor furniture from Rick and Kathy Mack, a meal-for-one from Regatta restaurant and a night’s stay at L’Banca Albergo Hotel. Coushatta Casino has donated a Golf package which includes hotel stay, meal and golf for two. Also, Bon Temps Express has provided a two- hour bus rental.

The organization receives state and federal grants used to finance operations.

“The event generates needed funds to match the contributions of these grants,” said bookkeeper Janice Esthay.

A goal of $30,000 has been set for this year, Esthay said. Last year’s event raised $29,000. These funds were used throughout the year to cover costs of operating the CADA house.

Some of the costs covered include groceries, rent and utilities for the home and clothes for the residents.

When victims are ready to leave the shelter and secure housing of their own, CADA can assist them in paying deposits for homes and utilities. Funds are also used to pay for transportation to and from medical appointments.

“During Christmastime, a family is adopted and some of the monies are used to buy gifts for the family,” said Esthay.

CADA assists victims of domestic abuse by providing shelter, counseling and support groups. During their stay they are also given lessons on budgeting, child care, preparing resumes and job searches.

District Michael Cassidy said CADA is a valuable resource for people that slip through the cracks in the justice system.

“It is a wonderful organization that provides much needed support and assistance to anyone who is a victim and survivor of domestic abuse,” he said. “CADA provides protective orders, shelter and other services to ensure their safety until the court system arranges time to help. It is an invaluable resource for these people that the justice system is not equipped to provide. CADA helps set up hearings and works with law enforcement to submit needed paperwork.”

Cassidy also participates in the event each year as a cook.

“I participate in the ‘Taste n’ Tell’ fundraiser event every year,” he said. “It offers a very entertaining atmosphere and great food. It’s awesome, unless, you’re on a diet that is.”

“Striving to do our best to bring awareness and doing what we can to end domestic abuse, is a priority to all law enforcement. However, this is something particularly important to our agency and to me personally,” said Sheriff Ivy Woods. “Participating in the CADA ‘Taste n’ Tell’ is our way of supporting the organization that has been fundamental in doing so much in our community to help survivors of domestic abuse not only recover emotionally, but to also rebuild their lives and create a new start for themselves - free from their abusers. This is something we all look forward to, and it is my honor to be a part of such a worthy cause each year.”

For more information regarding making donations, entering a cook team or to volunteer in any other way, contact Daboval at (337) 842-7902, Jody Clary at (337) 842-3607 or Marilyn Watkins at (337) 842-4652.