Local Celebrities and Top Atlanta Chefs Turn Out for the 20th Anniversary of Real Men Cook for Charity

Top Atlanta chefs, celebrity tasters and judges, and over one hundred cooking men spent their Father's Day raising money for charity at Real Men Cook for Charity Atlanta's (RMC) 20^th Anniversary Celebration held Sunday at Georgia Railroad Depot.

Nearly 2500 guests enjoyed food, games, and performances by Q Parker Of 112, gospel singer, Wanda Trent Phillips, Five Men on A Stool's Antonio Allen, and R&B singers, Case and Canton Jones. Surprise guests included Eshe of Arrested Development, R&B Singer Dionne Farris, and Lamman Rucker, Sheriff Troy in Tyler Perry's "Why did I Get Married," spent hours signing autographs and chatting with guests.

"So many families are experiencing difficult times this year; it was delightful to host an exciting, low-cost family event. The discount coupon provided by WSB-TV Family 2 Family Project made a way for struggling families to spend Father's Day in a positive environment with strong black men, enjoying games, winning prizes and eating good food," said Diane Larche´WSB-TV for staying in tune with the needs of the community.", RMC Atlanta event manager. "The volunteers at our registration table were touched by the many guests that admitted they would not have been able to afford the event this year without the coupon. We thank

"In addition to showcasing the culinary skills of productive men in our community and having fun competing to be called 'top chef,' the goal of Real Men Cook is to assist local charities with marketing and fundraising," added Rick Joyner, RMC Master of Ceremonies. "We are honored to have Communities in Schools and Boy Scouts of America Atlanta Area Council as our 2009 charity partners."

The proud winners of the 2009 RMC cooking competition are:

Appetizers: The Empowerment Experience & Sloan Gourmet
Entrees: Mike Smokehouse
Restaurant: Chef's Rob Caribbean Cafe
Catering: Chef Charles Richardson
Deserts: Kenly's Catering
People's Choice Award for Every Day Dad: Bernard Favors

The event featured cooking demonstrations by Chef Desmond Fanin; executive chef of Sodexo at Federal Reserve Bank; Chef Keith Kash, owner of Who's Got Soul restaurants and celebrity chef for Ed Hartwell of Real Housewives; Chef Rob owner of Chef Rob's Caribbean Café; and Chef Rick Anthony, personal chef for Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks.

RMC Atlanta 2009 sponsors include State Farm, WSB-TV Family 2 Family Project, Waffle House, Georgia Power, Georgia Pacific, Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and Fulton County Reach for Wellness Program of the Live Healthy Fulton Campaign, American Heart Association, Tyler Perry Studios, Where Magazine, Atlanta Inquirer, Atlanta Voice, Atlanta Daily World and Federal Home Loan Bank.

Recognized nationally by the popular "Trumpet Awards,' and featured on the Food Network's "Emeril Live," RMC Atlanta was established in 1989 by Yvette and Kofi Moyo of Chicago to build families and provide the opportunity for non-profits to raise money from event ticket sales. Real Men Cook for Charity, the largest family celebration in the country, is held simultaneously in 10 cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, D.C., Los Angeles, Miami, St. Louis, Dallas and Houston.

For highlights of the event or more information on Real Men Cook for Charity visit www.realmencook.com.