Five creative kitchens in Beaver and Brighton Township will be showcased in the AAUW Kitchen Tour & Tasting Delights event on Sept. 24.
The 21st annual event, hosted by the American Association of University Women to generate scholarship money, returns after a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s theme incorporates sampling foods from various cultures prepared by chefs in each home.
The ladies-day-out event begins at 9:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. at the Marketplace at Dutch Ridge Elementary School, offering 50 auction baskets appealing to all interests. Guests can shop at 10 specialty boutiques including gourmet chocolates and sweets, cosmetics, jewelry, hand-painted furniture and unique handmade mittens, plus gently used handbags and accessories.
A bountiful bake sale will be provided by AAUW members. Coffee will be available for purchase.
An optional pre-purchase $12 lunch, catered by Butcher & Son Public House of Aliquippa, offers a choice of pastrami on rye or turkey and ham club, salad, chips and water served in the school’s dining area from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ticket holders can win a door prize and receive a complimentary recipe booklet filled with international selections to please the palate.
The house tour itself runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and can be traveled in any order.
Houses include:
Built in 1870, the house has been updated to honor the history of the home while incorporating modern design. The kitchen has been opened up to the dining room and highlights a copper farmhouse sink, copper accents throughout and a large peninsula island. A wrap-around wine fridge/bar area is cleverly tucked under the backside of the kitchen staircase. In the dining area, a hidden fireplace has been exposed and complemented by a custom-made mantle fashioned from antique tin ceiling tiles. A dining table made of reclaimed teak and an original built-in china closet showcase the unique mix of both old and new materials. At this tour stop, Filipino-American Association of Pittsburgh chefs Joji Smith and Fanny Spanos will provide native food.
Built in 1924, this home was a Sears and Roebuck house that was brought by rail or boat in numbered pieces and assembled on-site. The remodel work turned three rooms into one open kitchen/dining/living space. The backsplash with porcelain mosaic tiles above the side-by-side Maytag ranges was designed by the homeowner. Cabinets feature undercabinet lights and unique corner drawers. An addition to the house includes a commercial kitchen, a master bedroom suite and a butler’s pantry. G.G. Biscotti Co. founded by owner, Greg Chishi will offer biscotti.
At 106 years old, this home has a fresh look created by using new materials. Vinyl plank floors have replaced those in the entryway and living/dining rooms. The fireplace in the living room once separated the kitchen and dining room. Two authentic sets of pocket doors enable the homeowners to close off rooms for privacy. The banquette along the dining table provides both storage and seating. The now open kitchen has quartz countertops with a Forno six burner stove and undercounter drawer microwave. Subway tile and the farmhouse sink complete the 1920’s look of the kitchen. Lady Bird’s Luncheonette of Beaver will offer tasty fare.
This smart home was custom built in 2021 by a local builder. The Alexa-enabled home helps to make cooking in the one-of-a-kind kitchen a breeze. This kitchen seamlessly blends the latest technology with high-end fixtures and classic style. Special features include white quartz countertops, farm sink, Amish-built cabinetry, pot filler and microwave drawer. With a modern open-floor plan, the kitchen can be seen as you enter the welcoming home. Chef Salam Raskovsky, an AAUW member, will serve a Lebanon specialty, Tabouli.
This attractive Kraftmaid kitchen is custom designed with many features that make it truly unique. The soft grey cabinets have quietly self-closing doors and drawers. The soft under-the-cabinet lighting is repeated at floor level. To eliminate the need for a bulletin board, the builder lined the inside of a double-door cabinet with blackboards on both sides for grocery lists and appointments. Both glass front and solid cabinets complete a fresh look. Chef Sue Walsnovich of Shoo Shoo’s Wooden Spoon of New Brighton will provide a selection of her breakfast and bakery specialties.
Proceeds from the popular fundraiser support scholarships for high school girls, non-traditional women students, law students and Community College of Beaver County students in Beaver County. Since 2002, 87 scholarships were awarded for a total of $125,500 to local women furthering their education.
House Tour tickets are $20 and optional pre-purchase lunch tickets for $12 are available at The Hostess Shoppe, Beaver. Same-day house tour tickets are $25 at The Hostess Shoppe or Dutch Ridge School. Tickets will not be sold at the homes. For information, please call 724-846-4260 or 724-650-2558. Or visit Facebook page BeaverValleyAAUW http://beavervalley-pa.aauw.net
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