Starkville Area Arts Council

 

 

 

STAR SHINE  2008

The Starkville Area Arts Council will host its 5th Annual Star Shine Scholarship Fundraising event August 8-9, 2008, at the Mississippi State University Raspet Flight Research Center.
Leading off the weekend, local chefs will battle it out in Starkville’s very first “Star Shine Cook-off” event. Contenders will not only compete for the best food, best presentation and a year of bragging rights, they will also fight for the ultimate title of Best of Star Shine 2008. In the first two corners are Jay Yates from the Veranda and Ty Thames from Restaurant Tyler. Challengers Raymond Jackson of Doe’s Eat Place and Carnell McGee of Harvey’s will be in the remaining corners ready to spar. Center Ring will hold the final opponent and only female in the brawl, Vicki Leach representing Viking.

The cook-off begins Friday at 6:30p.m. with tasting samples available for the audience to enjoy, along with complimentary beverages and music by Jeff Cummings. Tickets are $50 per person.

The night’s event will be refereed by a panel of three guest judges. These ring-side seats belong to celebrity chef Tim Creehan, Mississippi Arts Commission Executive Director Malcolm White and artist and author Wyatt Waters.

As the owner of two Destin restaurants, author of two cookbooks, caterer to the stars at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and headlining chef of the 2008 Star Shine Fundraiser, our first judge Executive Chef Tim Creehan is a true talent with a passion for food and a spirit for the arts. Guest judge Malcolm White is a story of success and dedication to the arts, service to others and his love for Mississippi. His accomplishments include co-founder of Hal & Mal’s restaurant, creator of Mal’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade and Sweet Potato Queen and recipient of awards such as “Event of the Year”, “Friendship Ball Award” and “Spirit of Mississippi Award”. The final judge in the Star Shine Cook-Off is Mississippi artist Wyatt Waters. Waters has been showcased in numerous magazines, been the solo artist in multiple exhibits, served as past president of Mississippi Watercolor Society, published two books and created commemorative posters for both Jubilee! JAM and Mississippi on the Mall picnic in Washington, D.C.

After a night of culinary knock-outs, activities will continue Saturday morning at 10:30a.m. with cooking classes lead by Chef Tim Creehan. Participants will experience hands-on instruction, taste Chef Creehan’s own personal creations and take home a copy of the morning’s featured recipes. Classes are $75 per person, including Chef Creehan’s cookbook or a Grill Plus gift pack.

The two-day event heats up Saturday evening when Chef Creehan prepares an exceptional five course dinner. In attempts to top last year’s meal, Chef Creehan will again prepare a spectacular Star Shine Dinner, with wine pairings offered at each course. A meet and greet begins at 6:30p.m., while the dinner begins at 7:00p.m. with a baked brie appetizer. A Gulf Coast seafood gumbo will follow as the first course, with an avocado, shrimp, onion and tomato salad prepared as the second course. Chef Creehan’s main course will be Gulf Coast shrimp with smoked tomato butter, grits and a snow pea salad. With a perfect end to an incredible meal, dessert will be white chocolate strawberry shortcake. Tickets are $100 per person or $175 per couple. Chef Creehan’s cookbook or Grill Plus gift pack is also included.

All proceeds from the two-day Star Shine Fundraiser will go to the Scholarship Fund of the Starkville Area Arts Council. This fund allows the SAAC to proudly award scholarships each year to Starkville students with a passion for the arts. To purchase tickets, make reservations or for more information regarding any of the Star Shine activities, contact the SAAC office at 662.324.3080 or info@starkvillearts.org. Space is limited at each event and reservations are required. Artwork from local artists will also be displayed throughout the weekend and available for purchase. All events will take place at the MSU Raspet Flight Research Center, located at 114 Airport Road.

Celebrity Chef Tim Creehan will be the honored guest headlining this year’s culinary affair.

As the owner of two Destin restaurants, author of two cookbooks and caterer to the stars at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, Executive Chef Creehan is a true talent with a passion for food and a spirit for the arts.

“I’m always looking for a new challenge and I strive to be the best chef I can be,” says Creehan in his book Simple Cuisine.

Beginning at the age of 14, Chef Creehan’s accomplishments are as amazing as they are astounding. His love for cooking and zest for life has earned him the privilege of serving in restaurants around the world, appearing as guest chef in some of the most honored culinary events and personally cooking for celebrities such as Amy Grant, Cybill Shepherd and Timothy Hutton. Creehan’s unfaltering energy and drive for success have earned him titles of “Youngest and Most Accomplished Certified Executive Chefs in the US”, “Shinning Star Chef” and “Celebrated Chef”.

Chef Creehan has also opened a new Culinary Center in Destin, patented a non-stick grilling instant marinade and has been a frequent host of culinary television shows, including Beach TV’s “Emerald Coast Chefs”. He has instructed culinary students of all ages and has donated his time, food and talent to many charitable organizations. In addition to his live performances, the Chef’s recipes have been featured on Emeril Lagasse’s TV show and in endless publications across the country.

Chef Creehan is a true gift to the art of cooking. His creations and talent have touched lives across the globe for the past thirty years. The Starkville Area Arts Council is honored to continue Chef Creehan’s influence and legacy to the residents of Starkville.

More detailed information about the StarShine Fundraiser will be released in the coming weeks.

 

 

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