Over the past two years, the BRCC Educational Foundation Board and staff have learned to pivot and create new and unique fundraising events that we hope our supporters enjoy. Our goal has been to build events that inspire learning, fun, and a sense of togetherness – all in support of our community’s college, BRCC.
Apparently, our collective idea of fun also always involves food! On Friday, February 26, 2021, it was our privilege to bring Chef Tassie Pippert directly into supporters’ kitchens via live video stream for our inaugural “Friday Night Bites” event. Tassie, a local chef and wine expert, host of the long-running show WVPT Cooks and VPM’s Un-Wine’d, and a proud BRCC alumna, is also a current BRCC Educational Foundation Board member. She shared her culinary expertise and led us in an evening of cooking, learning, and laughter.
Seasoned chefs and novice cooks alike learned new cooking tricks while preparing a fabulous menu of antipasto salad, chicken piccata, and a simple, show-stopping tiramisu. Her sous-chef, Andy Vanhook (also a Virginia community college grad and BRCCEF Board member) helped Tassie throughout the night. Appeal Productions produced the event for BRCC, and more than 60 chefs-in-training joined us online that night. We heard many success stories from participants, and had requests to repeat this event!
Friday Night Bites' sister event, Friday Night Al Fresco - a gourmet picnic to go- took place on Friday, May 14, 2021 and was also a big success! We are thrilled to report that Friday Night Bites and Friday Night Al Fresco together raised $39,597 in proceeds and sponsorships in 2021. Our spring 2022 events, Friday Night Bites on February 4, 2022, and Friday Night Al Fresco on May 20, 2022 were also successful.
Join us on April 14, 2023 live and in-person for BRCC’s first Casino Royale! It is sure to be an exciting night of fundraising and friend-raising for BRCC. Even if you don’t fancy yourself a gambler (rest-assured no real risk is involved as you will be playing with BRCC “funny money”) there will be delicious food, lively libations, auction items, prizes, and fun for everyone!
Check out the event page for more information and sponsorship opportunities. Funds generated from events are unrestricted and allow the BRCC Educational Foundation to support our students, college and community.
