Paul Kares donates $3,000 for Delaware Tech culinary scholarships

At the 20th Gourmet Gala held Oct. 21, a fundraiser for Delaware Technical Community College, Paul Kares donated $3,000 for culinary arts scholarships. The Lewes-based nonprofit supports young performers and culinary artists.

“When the auctioneer and the school’s culinary director said they needed funds for tuition and to send students to Italy, we knew we had to step up,” said Jim Rivette, president of Paul Kares, who founded the nonprofit with musician-chef Paul Cullen.

The $3,000 will be divided into three $1,000 scholarships. Rivette joined the scholarship recipients on stage for a round of applause. He was on hand as an event patron and to support Delaware Tech culinary student Mitchell Bunting, who received a Paul Kares grant to attend a school trip to Italy earlier this year

Bunting and more than 50 fellow students handled the appetizer and dessert food stations for the event, held on the Dover campus, and the dinner for 350 seated guests.

The theme was An Evening on the Amalfi Coast.

“[The cuisine] was excellent,” said Rivette. “And we are so proud of Mitchell, who was brought on stage as an example of an outstanding student.”

Over its 20-year history, the gala has raised more than $3.2 million in gross proceeds.

Paul Kares works with grade schools, high schools, and other institutions and groups throughout the Delmarva region to identify qualified candidates.

For information on benefit concerts or grants, go to paulkaresde.org.