'One Pot Throwdown'

United Way of Beaumont and North Jefferson County will host its 5th annual United Way Hometown Huddle cook-off fundraiser at the Civic Center in downtown Beaumont on Thursday, Oct. 13, from 5:30 – 8 p.m.

With the popular “One Pot Throwdown” theme returning, the cook-off competition will showcase some of the Southeast Texas area’s restaurants and caterers, as well as other local businesses and community organizations, as guests have an opportunity to vote on their favorite dishes throughout the evening. All-you-can-eat “one pot” tastings, plus adult beverages, live entertainment by Southeast Texas musical duo Caleb & April, photo booth, pumpkin decorating, fun raffles and more will make for an action-packed night in downtown Beaumont.

This year’s cook teams include: Acadian Ambulance, American Valve & Hydrant, The Avenue Coffee & Café, Bando’s, Bill Clark Pest Control, Bruno’s Italian Kitchen, Buckstin Brewing Company, CHRISTUS Southeast Texas, CommonCents Credit Union, Education First Federal Credit Union, ExxonMobil, For the Love of Foods, Gateway Mortgage Group, G&G Enterprises Construction Corp, Gulf Credit Union, HB Neild, H-E-B, J Wilson’s, Ko Korean Grill, Medical Center of Southeast Texas, Natgasoline, Rooftop Realty, Sachi’s Cakes and Desserts Lab, Sweet Basil, and Zachry Group.

Admission to the “One Pot Throwdown!” is open to all ages, and purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. Tickets are $35 per person pre-sale, and $40 per person at the door. Pre-sale tickets will be sold until noon on Wednesday, Oct. 12, online at www.uwbmt.org, by calling (409) 835-4575, or by stopping by the United Way office at 700 North Street in downtown Beaumont.

All proceeds from the Hometown Huddle will benefit 36 programs of United Way of Beaumont and North Jefferson County’s 20 local nonprofit partner agencies, which include: Anayat House, The Arc of Greater Beaumont, Boys’ Haven, Boy Scouts – Three Rivers Council, Capland Speech Therapy Center, Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, Communities in Schools of Southeast Texas, Crisis Center of Southeast Texas, Family Services Counseling Center and Women & Children’s Shelter, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, Legacy Community Health, Nutrition & Services for Seniors, Recovery Center of Southeast Texas, Salvation Army Corps and Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club, Samaritan Counseling Center, Shorkey Center, Southeast Texas Family Resource Center, Southeast Texas Food Bank, Southeast Texas Hospice, and USO – United Service Organization.