The Barrington Presbyterian Church hosted its annual Men Who Cook community dinner on "Fat Tuesday" evening last night to raise money for TAP-IN and the East Bay Coalition for the Homeless. The event is loosely based on "Mardi Gras" in New Orleans.

A variety of mouth-watering entrees and desserts were served, including shrimp etouffee, gumbo, chasen's chili, coquille St. Jacques, pork creole, red beans and rice, pecan pie, cheescakes, chocolate-covered strawberries, key lime pie and fresh fruits and tortes.

Jack Hartwein-Sanchez, a New Orleans native who has been the dessert chef for the event for many years, did double duty this year as the emcee as well.

The dinner is believed to have started in the 1990s, although no one seems to know for sure.