Lovers of barbecue showed up at the Milpitas Community Center on Sunday, July 14, for a cookoff that raised money for two local nonprofits.
Show Up & Love and Noreen’s Dance Collaborative co-hosted the second annual Cookoff For Love, which pitted police against firefighters in a battle for the best brisket.
Lorrine Patterson launched Show Up & Love in January 2022 based on her belief that by showing up and loving yourself, you can show up and love others. Show Up & Love’s mission is to encourage, support and empower people challenged by everyday life.
Noreen Kinohi, founder and artistic director of Noreen’s Dance Collaborative, launched her nonprofit in 2019. She believes that dance is not only a very important creative expression for people passionate about dance, but is also an outlet for people who might not be able to express themselves through words.
Both nonprofits have a strong focus on youth. Patterson hosts five-week workshops and 30-day programs in teen centers, high schools and middle schools in the Bay Area. In the last year these workshops have been part of several after-school programs, including Milpitas’ Rancho and Russel Middle School’s LYFE Program, with close to 50 students in attendance.
Show Up’s Bell Program hosted over 200 K-6 students at Weller, Burnett and Pomeroy elementary schools, the Sal Cracolice Recreation Facility and the Milpitas Community Center.
In her dance program, Kinohi puts her background in early childhood education and performance and her passion for dance to the task. Noreen Dance Collaborative’s mission is to unite communities through dance and engage in mental health awareness by uniting mental health advocacy and education through dance classes, performances and events.
Dishes served at Sunday’s cookoff were judged on their appearance, tenderness and texture, sauce and seasoning, and flavor.
Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano, Police Chief Jared Hernandez and Fire Chief Jason Schoonover were on the judging panel along with Synaptics CEO Michael Hurlston, Guckenheimer COO Anne Moser and Guckenheimer’s director of culinary development Rick Green.
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The Milpitas Police Officers Association walked away with the awards for Best Brisket and Best Baby Back Ribs, and the award for Best Chicken went to Milpitas Firefighters Local 1699. The police team was also judged best overall, and tied with firefighters for the team spirit award.
Besides barbecue, the 200 guests at the cookoff visited the photo booth, the face painter and the craft activities around the room. Montano kicked off the performances by singing “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban, followed by Patterson performing the “Great Are You Lord” praise dance. Noreen’s Dance Collaborative dancers and guest singers and musicians also performed.
All proceeds from the cookoff are earmarked for supplies needed for Show Up & Love workshops and programs, love gifts distributed to the community and for Noreen’s Dance Collaborative’s educational and dance workshops and free dance classes for underprivileged children and youth.
For more information, visit www.showupandlove.com and www.noreensdancecollaborative.org.
