1of11Blythe Roberts, chef instructor for the Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut, based in New Milford, shares with graduate Kim Hynd of New Milford his gratitude to her for sharing her story of how she overcame personal obstacles and turned her life around. Ms. Hynd explained how she became a chef at a local business during the seventh annual Dinner With Friends dinner-dance and benefit auction to benefit the school, April 6, 2013, at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury.Deborah RoseShow MoreShow Less2of11Cindy Tyler of New Milford delights in hearing she and her husband, Jeff, won their auction bid for a trip to Napa Valley, California during the seventh annual Dinner With Friends dinner-dance and benefit auction to benefit the Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut, April 6, 2013, at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury.Deborah RoseShow MoreShow Less3of11An autographed Will Middlebrooks photograph and a basket of goodies for a day of relaxation from Breathe Peace Massage Therapy in New Milford were among the items up for bid during the silent auction at the seventh annual Dinner With Friends dinner-dance and benefit auction to benefit the Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut, April 6, 2013, at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury.Deborah RoseShow MoreShow Less4of11A packed house does a warm-up exercise with their bid cards before starting the live auction during the seventh annual Dinner With Friends dinner-dance and benefit auction to benefit the Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut, based in New Milford, April 6, 2013, at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury.Deborah RoseShow MoreShow Less5of11Sharon Harvey of Bridgewater enjoys ìdancingî in her seat as she, her husband, Bill, and friends at their table get in the swing while one of the lve auction items ñ a salsa dancing and tapas party for 20 people ñ is auctioned off at the seventh annual Dinner with Friends dinner-dance and benefit auction to benefit the Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut, April 6, 2013, at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury.Deborah RoseShow MoreShow Less6of11Annmarie Santorelli of New Milford signals her bid on a lemon cake during the live auction at the seventh annual Dinner With Friends dinner-dance and benefit auction to benefit the Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut, April 6, 2013, at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury.Deborah RoseShow MoreShow Less7of11Wendy and Dick Jones of Bridgewater relish in their successful winning bid for a lemon cake during the seventh annual Dinner With Friends dinner-dance and benefit auction to benefit the Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut, April 6, 2013, at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury.Deborah RoseShow MoreShow Less8of11Dawn Hammacott, program director at the Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut, gives culinary school graduate Kim Hynd a hug of support and appreciation after Hynd had shared her personal story of overcoming obstacles to turn her life around during the seventh annual Dinner With Friends dinner-dance and benefit auction, April 6, 2013, at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury.Contributed PhotoShow MoreShow Less9of11Dawn Hammacott, left, program director of the Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut, holds and presents the schoolís Exceptional Service Award to board member Diana Broderick, right, as board president Jeff Kilberg and Deborah Luongo-Matta, a member of the schoolís advisory board, congratulate Broderick during the seventh annual Dinner With Friends dinner-dance and benefit auction, April 6, 2013, at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury. Broderick was also presented a certificate, signed by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, acknowledging her service to the school.Deborah RoseShow MoreShow Less10of11Jeff Kilberg, president of the board of directors of the Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut,congratulates board member Diana Broderick with a kiss after Dawn Hammacott, program director at the school, presented her with the schoolís Exceptional Service Award during the seventh annual Dinner With Friends dinner-dance and benefit, April 6, 2013, at the Ethan Allen Hotel in DanburyDeborah RoseShow MoreShow Less11of11Marie OíNeill, chief marketing officer and executive vice president of Union Savings Bank, accepts on behalf of Fran Dattalo, president and chief executive officer of the bank, the Distinguished Appreciation Award, given to the bank for its ongoing support, during the seventh annual Dinner With Friends dinner-dance and benefit auction for the Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut, April 6, 2013, at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury. Presenting the award is Jeff Kilberg, president of the schoolís board of directors. The bank was also presented a certificate, signed by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, acknowledging the bankís contributions to the school and the community.Deborah RoseShow MoreShow Less
The seventh annual Dinner With Friends dinner-dance and benefit auction to benefit the Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut proved a rousing success April 6.
The event was attended by hundreds at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury.
The nonprofit culinary school, based in New Milford, provides job and life skills training that enables economically at-risk individuals to gain a new life for themselves and their families.
The school's job placement rate is 95 percent, with an 89 percent job retention rate post six months graduation.
Highlighting the event was the presentation of the Exceptional Service Award to Diana Broderick, a member of the school's board of directors.
Union Savings Bank was the recipient of the school's Distinguished Appreciation Award for its support for the culinary school and the community.
The dinner-dance also featured a silent auction, with jazz guitar and piano music provided by Billy Michael, followed by dinner, a live auction and dancing to the sounds of DJ Jimmy Daniels.
Some auction items include a photo safari for two to South Africa, a hot air balloon ride for two, cooking classes, gift baskets, vacation trips, sports tickets and gift certificates.
