Eat Your Art Out for Oddfellows Youth Playhouse

The similarities between the performing arts and the culinary arts has inspired a unique fundraiser for artists and gourmands alike to benefit .

On June 28, Oddfellows' Food Improv: Where the Performing Arts Meets the Culinary Arts will take place at the to raise money for scholarships and program support.

Both performing and culinary arts teach fundamental life skills, such as learning how to work as a team, dedication, poise under pressure, responsibility, and especially how to improvise. Theater and food are about other cultures and bring people together from a variety of backgrounds. At Oddfellows, these are the types of essential skills being taught every day.

Fifteen of the best chefs and restaurants around the state will be making tasting-style dishes for guests, including: The Riverhouse at Goodspeed, Miya Sushi of New Haven, Amici Italian Grill, Typhoon, The New England Emporium, ESCA, Eli Cannon’s Tap Room, It’s Only Natural Restaurant, NoRA Cupcake Company, Tschudin Chocolates & Confections, A Little Imagination Cakes, Mattabesett Canoe Club, Cold Stone Creamery of Middletown, Blackbird, and Haveli. 

Beverages and alcohol will be supplied by Klekolo World Coffee and Thomas Hooker Brewery. 

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“A fun twist to the event,” says Elizabeth Cipollina of Durham, co-chair, “is that each chef has picked a play title from Oddfellows’ production history as inspiration for their dish. We thought it would be a neat way of incorporating theater into the food, while giving each chef an added culinary challenge. We are excited to see what they come up with — how they improvise.”  

There will be also be a performance by the Traveling Circus and a short set by a local improvisational group.

“Not only are we grateful to all the restaurants, but we’ve also had amazing support from our major sponsors, Citizen’s Bank, Connecticut Rental Center, Centerplan Companies of Middletown, Done on the Run, VerTerra, Cardinal International, and Restaurant Equipment Paradise,” says Mary Murphy, co-chair.

“Each of these organizations has generously donated to Food Improv and we can’t thank them enough for all they have done."

Ticketsare $75 for individuals and $125 for couples. All proceeds will go directly to benefiting Oddfellows Playhouse. The event runs from 6-9 p.m. There will also be a live auction.

For questions, to make a donation or purchase tickets, contact Director of Development Courtney Antonioli at (860) 347-6143 or email Courtney@oddfellows.org. Tickets can also be purchased online.