Rodney Scott headlines fundraiser

Rodney Scott is the marquee guest at the Franciscan Center’s Plated fundraiser in Baltimore on Thursday, April 16, with proceeds backing the center’s food and training programs. (plated.fcbmore.org) The event, billed as “Plated 4,” is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the B&O Railroad Museum. The Franciscan Center says Scott, a James Beard Award winner, will headline a night of food, drinks and a live cooking competition. (plated.fcbmore.org) Local television station WBAL-TV reported April 15 that tickets were $175 and the event was nearly sold out. The station said the fundraiser supports the center’s culinary training and community services in Baltimore. (wbaltv.com) At the center of the event is Dignity Plates, the Franciscan Center’s no-cost culinary training program. Chef April DuBose, the program’s culinary education director, told WBAL-TV the course runs 13 weeks and is based on classic French techniques. (98online.com) The fundraiser also doubles as a showcase for graduates of that program. The Archdiocese of Baltimore’s event listing says guests will watch Dignity Plates graduates compete live while sampling dishes from Baltimore chefs and beverage makers. (archbalt.org) The Franciscan Center has tied Plated closely to its broader social-service work. WBAL-TV said the money helps fund emergency assistance for men, women and families in need, alongside the culinary academy. (wbaltv.com) The event has grown into the nonprofit’s signature annual food fundraiser. WMAR-TV described Plated 4 as the Franciscan Center’s largest fundraiser, and last year’s third edition drew more than 300 guests, according to a post-event report published by Citybiz. (wmar2news.com) (citybiz.co) Scott said he signed on after learning about the program’s focus on training new cooks. “When I heard the Franciscan Center, and the confidence, and the education that it gives to young upcoming chefs,” he told WBAL-TV’s radio partner, “I was like ‘Oh yeah, I’m all in.’” (98online.com)