Event Location: Sanders Beach-Corrine Jones Resource Center
Story & Photography by: Leon Martin
Event Date: April 19, 2026
Now in its 13th year, Men Who Cook continues to deliver an afternoon filled with flavor, fun, and heart, earning its place as one of the community’s most highly anticipated events. The lively chef competition, held on April 19, featured 30 local men—from business leaders to everyday heroes—serving up crowd-pleasing bites in a spirited celebration of amateur culinary talent.
This year featured 23 amateur teams, each made up of two-man chef pairings, alongside 13 professional entries from local restaurants and caterers, adding an elevated level of competition and gourmet flair. From appetizers to entrées and desserts, guests enjoyed bold flavors while taking in live music, beer and wine, and both live and silent auctions.
A distinguished panel of nine women from the culinary industry, including restaurant owners, chefs, and cookbook authors, conducted a completely blind tasting and scoring, ensuring a fair and exciting competition across all categories.
The event, presented by ESA South, Inc. and Dominguez Design-Build Inc., delivered an unforgettable afternoon of community, camaraderie, and creativity—all in support of Pace Center for Girls Escambia–Santa Rosa, which provides girls the opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, and training.
The event was a complete sellout, further underscoring its popularity and the strong support behind Pace’s mission to empower girls.
