Church Celebrates Mardi Gras to Benefit Nonprofits

The faint tinging of a brass bell started the annual "Men Who Cook" dinner at Barrington on Fat Tuesday evening, March 8.

But the men who cooked and baked started days and weeks ago. And they put the finishing touches on their creations earlier Tuesday before spreading them out before almost 120 guests who filled the function room of the church decorated for Mardi Gras.

Master of ceremonies Jeff Lockhart, decked out in his Mardi Gras finery, welcomed everyone.

"We come together for fellowship and support," said Lockhart.

Proceeds from the dinner were donated to the  social service organization and the East Bay Coalition for the Homeless. 

Lockhart then announced the dishes on the menus. And quite a menu it was.

Serving dishes were filled with Louisiana lamb corn, pork tenderloin, coquillas St. Jacques (scallops in wine sauce), applesauce meatballs, carnitas carnival (shredded pork), green junk salad and jambalaya. On separate tables were an array of desserts prepared single-handedly by Jack Hartwein-Sanchez, who has baked them every year but one in the past decade and a half.

"I still don't think they've forgiven me for that one," said Hartwein-Sanchez, who grew up in New Orleans.

Among his creations: blueberry cheesecake, ricotta cheesecake, vanilla bean citrus compote, four-layer chocolate cake, pecan torte, key lime pies, vanilla custard with fruit, mixed berries, lemon torte, and cherries dipped in milk chocolate.

Asked what the church does with the leftovers, the Rev. Notley said: "We've never had that problem."