Cook for the Cure!

I have a feeling that every one of us either knows someone personally that has had cancer or that we at least know somebody through someone else that has come in contact with it. Breast cancer, especially, is one of the most common and possibly invasive cancers that affect women today. My grandmother is a breast cancer survivor, but I know all women aren’t lucky enough to say that.

If you know anything about breast cancer and breast cancer research, then I’m sure you’ve heard of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. They are the global leader when it comes to the breast cancer movement, having invested more than $1.9 billion since it’s inception in 1982. One thing you might not know is that KitchenAid has raised nearly $8 million during the past ten years through it’s Cook for the Cure program for the cause. And right now, KitchenAid has a neat fundraiser going on that I’m happy to spread the word about, called 1000 Cooks for the Cure.

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The idea is simple: Invite your family, friends or colleagues for a dinner party, barbecue, office party, dessert sampling or any kind of get-together from July 15-24, 2011. Instead of wine, flowers or any other gift or contribution, ask guests to bring a donation in any amount for Komen for the Cure. The funds can be designated for either the organization’s national efforts or local breast cancer initiatives.

While Cook for the Cure offers ways to support the cause year-round, the goal of this initiative is to enlist 1,000 cooks to host gatherings during these specific dates in July.

As for the host or hostess gift, KitchenAid has it covered! The host of any party registered at CookfortheCure.com that raises more than $50 will receive a special Villeroy & Boch “Pass the Plate” serving platter (valued at $24.95) as a thank you by mail upon receipt of your contributions.

Designed with charming artwork by PBS cooking show host Jacques Pépin, you’ll probably want to keep the platter for yourself. But the idea of these platters is a bit different: to be "re-gifted" again and again, along with a homemade culinary creation from the giver.

Each time the individually numbered plates are registered online at CookfortheCure.com and passed along to others, KitchenAid will make a $5 donation to Komen, ensuring that parties keep on giving long after grateful guests have gone home.

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“Cook for the Cure was created to give those who love to cook and entertain a number of ways to support the cause by doing what they do best,” said Debbie O’Connor, senior manager of brand experience for KitchenAid. “It adds another layer of purpose to one of life’s great pleasures, cooking and enjoying food with family and friends.”

For the 10th anniversary year, KitchenAid has committed to a minimum of $450,000 in donations to Komen for the Cure in 2011, supported through the sale and registration of pink KitchenAid products together with celebrity chef auctions and grass roots efforts that encourage cooks to get friends and family involved.

To help one of your throw your own 1000 Cook for the Cure get together, KitchenAid is giving away this prize package. Each item is part of the Cook for the Cure line of pink items that benefit breast cancer research:

  • 7″ knife
  • Cook for the Cure aprons
  • mixing bowl set
  • grater
  • measuring cup set
  • peeler
  • spatula set
  • can opener
  • ice cream scoop

To Enter to Win this Package:

Leave a comment on this post about what type of 1000 Cooks for the Cure party you would like to throw – and remember, they don’t have to be a fancy 4 course meal! Dessert parties, cookie swaps, a cookout the by pool – all would be great ideas. (1 entry)

For additional entries:

  1. “Like” KitchenAid on Facebook saying BranAppetit sent you. (1 entry)
  2. Follow http://twitter.com/#!/KitchenAidUSA on Twitter (1 entry)
  3. Tweet about the giveaway

 

I can’t wait to hear about your ideas for the parties!

I’ll pick the winner this Friday, July 8th – good luck!

34 comments

  1. I think a dessert party would be fun!

  2. What a fabulous idea!! I love Kitchen Aid and Jacques Pepin ( i watch him on the Create channel on PBS all the time). My dinner party? keep it simple, good bread with oil and balsamic vinegar. Maybe a few roasted peppers, onions,and cheese for apps. (Kind of like an appitizer party!) for dessert, I would use Jacques Pepin for inspiration! This simple berry custard I posted about/and made. It is soo delicious and simple :) http://lauren-whatlaurenlikes.blogspot.com/2011/06/creme-de-la-creme-de-la.html

  3. What a great idea and for such a wonderful cause! I think I would have a dessert party- that’s the best part of the meal anyways ;)

  4. I think a brunch would be fun. Different types of quiche and flavors of mimosas…. yum!

  5. I think a Sunday brunch would be great! With decorated sugar cookies for sure.

  6. Gah! I’m so excited about this idea! I’m hosting a life group at my apartment next week, and I’d really love to ask my guests to donate anything that they may have on hand instead of bringing a side dish to the party! Thank you for spreading the word!

    As an entry, I’ll totally be throwing a party with the following menu:
    -Pear and gorgonzola salad on spring greens
    -Asiago macaroni
    -Smokey white beans with carrots

  7. I would have to choose the dessert party! I love my sweet tooth! <3

  8. What a great concept! My Aunt is a breast cancer survivor and I would love to throw an event like this in her honor! I would definitely do a brunch with both savory and sweet options! Everything from homemade granola parfaits to egg bakes. Delicious!

  9. Love this idea…would have to be a BBQ, since we actually have decent weather in MN right now!

  10. Such a great cause. I would throw a travelling appetizer party! I have a few friends that live within a block or two of me, so we could all go from apartment to apartment having a drink and appetizer at each one!

  11. What a great way to raise money! I’d throw a dessert party:-)

  12. I have ALWAYS wanted to throw a wine party! I think it would be a last to have tons of wine and fine appetizers with a bunch of good friends.

  13. I think it would be fun to have a New England Clam Bake/cookout! The weather is perfect for it here in NH, hot and sunny.
    What a great idea…might just do this for my mom’s b-day since she is a breast cancer survivor

  14. I’ve been making lunch for my office every Friday, asking them for a $4 per person donation – which is $44 to cover my costs. I think on July 15 I’ll ask for $5.00 and donate the proceeds.

    My SIL, two cousins and the named partner of our firm are all breast cancer survivors, and my husband is a colon cancer survivor just this year. Thanks for letting me know about it!

  15. oooh, Brandi I want this! you know I LOVE pink!! :D

    having several friends and loved ones who are cancer survivors, this is definitely something I WILL do!

    I have been researching Gerson Therapy and diet for a project, and I will incorporate foods that follow these principles – whole and raw foods that have healing (and cancer fighting!) properties. it is amazing what certain foods can do, and how amazing and flavorful they can be!

  16. I would like to have a dessert party where everyone brings a dessert in addition to their donation

  17. What a beautiful idea! I love it! Since my girls and I have dessert baking parties anyway, I think I would have to do that! Maybe bake some pink cupcakes for the cure?

  18. I would love to have a dessert party! After all, dessert is the best part of any meal ;)

  19. I follow KitchenAid on Twitter!

  20. I think a lunch where everyone brings a dish would be great. Everyone would get a taste of different foods :)

  21. I would throw a wine and dessert party.

  22. I liked KitchenAid on Facebook

  23. I had already liked Kitchen Aid on facebook… :)

    …and I left them a note that you sent me! :)

  24. I would like to throw a cupcake party!!

  25. i like kitchenaid on FB

  26. i follow kitchenaid on twitter

  27. i tweeted!!

  28. I am following Kitchen Aid on twitter! :)

  29. I’d throw a pink desserts party! We’d have strawberry smoothies, cherry cheesecake, strawberry ice cream, sugar cookies iced with pink frosting, pink lemonade, pink champagne…..

  30. Annnnd I just liked Kitchenaid on FB and told them you sent me.

    Thanks for hosting this fantabulous giveaway!

  31. I would like to use this to host a high tea for my friends!

  32. This is really great Brandi. :-)
    I would do a Stockpile Swap party and incorporate this idea. Sounds fun!

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