Culinary Station Guidelines & FAQs
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Please join us as the stars of the evening!
Children & Families First is a non-profit organization that helps children and families overcome challenges and thrive to their full potential. A Taste for Art is our annual fundraising event - where the monies raised help sustain our mission, programs, and work.
Each year, we seek to shine a spotlight on you, the Head Chefs leading Delaware’s high school culinary programs. To showcase how your expertise and creativity are fostering valuable skills and bright futures for your students. You see, the culinary stations at A Taste for Art are it's most beloved feature. Not just for the remarkable food you serve, but because everyone involved values and honors your commitment to nurture the personal and professional development of your students - and being able to see it live, in action, is truly inspiring.
Over the years, student chefs have told us that they've gained confidence, learned how to present, and developed a better understanding of what goes into being a chef by participating in this event. In fact, one former student chef is now a head baker at Surf Bagel! But it's what they say about you that resonates the most. "Tonight had me excited and now I'm like whoa, this was for real. He sees good in me. He says I can do stuff I didn't think I could. He says 'go for it' doesn't let me walk away, and gets mad proud when I do it. That feels good, real good."
You understand the importance of our mission and work because it's what you do every day. Please join us as the stars of the night at A Taste for Art 2026 - because with your help, we can champion all of Delaware's children and families thrive.
About this year's event:
Event: 16th Annual A Taste for Art
Theme: Diamond State of Mind - Delaware's 250th Anniversary
Date: Saturday, April 25th, 2026
Time: 6:00pm to 10:00pm (see the full event day schedule below)
Location: DuPont Country Club, 1001 Rockland Rd. Wilmington, DE
Ready to join the party?
#1 Sign-up now! Just click here to email Laura.Bartus@cffde.org saying YES! You want to participate.
#2 Then, please send us the two documents listed below. It's important because we can't issue stipends until they're received and we'd really like to get that to you as soon as possible.
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A completed W9 form
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Certificate of Insurance listing Children & Families First as additionally insured
Here is our promise to you:
With gratitude and support for your participation, you will be guaranteed...
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A $2000 stipend check made payable to your school
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4 banquet tables (72”x30” each) with ivory linens
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Access to electricity - please note: you’ll need to bring a surge protector power strip and extension cord.
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Storage space for coolers, extra supplies, etc.
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Trash cans and trash removal
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Volunteer support throughout the event
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Promotion and advertising of your school through all event promotions
Menu requirements:
When planning your menu, please keep in mind that it must…
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Creatively celebrate this year's theme: Diamond State of Mind - Delaware's 250th Anniversary
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Serve 300 guests over the course of the 4-hour main event (6pm to 10pm)
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Be small bites/tasting sizes that are easy to carry as there is no seating at this event
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Include:
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2 savory items
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1 dessert items
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Other important information:
We ask that you please...
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Confirm your menu at least 4 weeks prior to the event. This is purely to ensure no duplications.
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Have at least one supervising instructor and enough students to staff your station for the whole evening (a minimum of 3 is suggested).
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Bring all the equipment, utensils, etc. that you'll need for serving, warming, cooling, and storage – please be mindful that per the venue, there is no kitchen access before, during, or after the event.
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Be in full compliance with all ServSafe protocols including, but not limited to sanitizer and wipes for surfaces, gloves for hands, proper hair restraints, etc.
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Decorate your station! Have fun with it! Use tablecloths, signage, and/or themed decorations to make your station stand out and really draw attention.
Event day schedule
4:00pm to 5:30pm ARRIVAL & SET-UP
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Load in schedules will be confirmed via email the week prior to the event
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Volunteers will be on-site to assist with load-in
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Please have all your students on-site no later than 5:30pm
5:45pm STAFFED & READY TO SERVE
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Please be fully ready to begin serving by 5:45pm
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VIP guests will arrive at 6:00pm (approx. 150 individuals)
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General Admission guests will arrive at 7:00pm (an additional 200+ individuals)
6:00pm to 10:00pm LIVE EVENT
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Encourage your students to talk to the guests about what they've prepared
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We'll check in a bunch to make sure you have everything you need
10:00pm to 10:45pm CLEAN-UP & BREAKDOWN
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You can stop serving at 10pm and breakdown your area
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Volunteers will be available to help you load-out
Have another question?