Exeter chefs cook up $60K for Scholarship Fund

EXETER — The community came together to raise more than $60,000 for the Exeter Area Scholarship Fund during an Evening with Exeter’s Chefs in December.

“Everyone who attended the event that evening brought a great spirit and camaraderie that made the night very special for the scholarship recipients, chefs and community members who worked to create a wonderful experience,” said Exeter resident Lara Bricker, who helped curate the event. “It was a wonderful night for our Exeter community.”

Nancy Phillips and Rob Burns, trustees of the Exeter Area Scholarship Fund, paid all expenses for the event, and 100% of the proceeds will go to students.

The Exeter Area Scholarship Fund is different in that it seeks to provide opportunities to local students who have been overlooked for traditional scholarships as well as those with challenging backgrounds and unique circumstances. Three past scholarship recipients spoke at the Dec. 5 event about the life-changing impact the scholarships had on their lives.

The event featured five of Exeter’s top chefs who served offerings from their signature restaurants. The chefs included Lee Frank of Otis, Paul Callahan of Vino e Vivo, Tim O’Brien of Cornicello, Bradley Wallace of Sawbelly and Margaret Forêt with her students from the Seacoast School of Technology Culinary Arts Program. Wine from Trends and beer from Czar’s Brewing, Exeter Brewing and Sawbelly were served at the event, as well as desserts from Clyde’s Cupcakes and La Cascade du Chocolat.

The Exeter Area Scholarship Fund partnered again with TEAM (Town Exeter Arts Music), who helped plan the event, provided music from the Marcus Rabb Jazz Quintet, and donated a portion of all sales from the art gallery to the fund.

Sponsors of this year’s event included Enxing Kia, Volvo Cars of Exeter, McFarland Ford, Hampton Ford Hyundai, Newburyport Bank, Brinker Capital, Baystate Financial, Nancy Phillips Associates and Pairpoint Group.

The event will return in 2024 on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Details and ticket information will be released in early fall.

PHOTOS PROVIDED Exeter’s top chefs teamed up to raise over $60,000 for a local scholarship fund that helps students who are often overlooked for traditional awards.

Culinary students from the Seacoast School of Technology participated in the Evening with Exeter’s Chefs event and prepared and served appetizers to guests.

Chef Lee Frank and Sous Chef Jonathan Vazquez, of Otis Restaurant, at the Evening with Exeter’s Chefs event.