‘Divas’ serve delicious family recipes to benefit Glidden Homestead

Plan now to sample the delicious offerings at the seventh annual “Divas Dish for Glidden Homestead” this Saturday, April 25th, 2015. The fund-raising and taste-testing event to benefit DeKalb’s Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center will be held from 5:30-8 p.m., at NIU’s Barsema Alumni & Visitors Center. Everyone is welcome and tickets are on sale at two/$50 or $30 each. Call (815) 756-7904 or visit www.gliddenhomestead.org.

The Homestead has partnered this year with DeKalb’s Feed ‘Em Soup. The organization will be a ticket outlet and have a chef and informational display at the event.

Building on the success of the last six years, this year’s “Divas Dish” will feature chefs (women and men) from DeKalb County and beyond, dishing up tried and true family recipes, including appetizers, bread, soups, salads, entrees and desserts.

Divas Dish for Glidden Homestead will include a Silent Auction featuring sports items, gift certificates and an assortment of fabulous items, according to Glidden board member and Divas Dish chairman, Steve “Kepp” Johnson.

“We have an incredible assortment of Silent Auction offerings, in addition to baked goods from some of our chefs, and special raffle items.”

Many chefs who participated the last six years are returning with new featured recipes. Participating chefs and their dishes (if decided) thus far are: Judy Anderson (meatballs), Kristin Anderson (creamy sausage wonton cups), Linda Anderson (chicken ala orange with wild rice), Lucio Bortolin (meat and vegetarian lasagna), Sarah Glidden DeMink (Frying Pan Ranch casserole), Feed ‘Em Soup (tortillas), Gwen Fox (chili), Katherine Gannon (beef Burgundy), Marge Hash (pancakes/blueberries), Stacie Haugk, Svetlana Henrikson, Jayne Higgins, Destiny Johnson (checkerboard cookies/lemon tea bread).

Also participating are: Jeanette Johnson, Susan Johnson (corned beef & Colcannon), Christy Kyler, Latsis Bakery (mini pastries/donuts), Jeff Lawson/KishHealth System Team, Janann Marshall (mini banana chocolate chip muffins), James Morel, Mary Pritchard, and Michael Zoeller (chicken liver pate). More chefs are welcome and being added daily (call 815-756-7904 if interested).

Joseph Glidden was granted a patent for “The Winner” on Nov. 24, 1874. It would become the most widely used barbed wire in frontier America. His wire was invented in the barn next to his red brick home. Both still stand on West Lincoln Highway in DeKalb (between Copy Service and Burger King).

The not-for-profit organization works to preserve the home and barn and to expand the museum campus and its offerings. “This is the Glidden Homestead’s major annual fund-raiser. It helps expand awareness about the Homestead to a more diverse segment of the community and is a deliciously fun event,” said Steven “Kepp” Johnson, board member and chair of the 2015 Divas Dish.

“The past six Divas Dish events have proven to be fun and delicious social events for a great cause. Many past chefs have returned, but we have many new chefs and tasty treats will abound. We deeply appreciate the community’s support of this event because it helps with restoration efforts at this historic gem,” he said.

Tickets outlets include Castle Bank locations, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, Feed ‘Em Soup, Glidden Homestead, and from chefs and Glidden Homestead board members. For information, call (815) 756-7904 or visit www.gliddenhomestead.org.