"Food has always been connected to home, comfort and family. On Family Day, September 25, food brought some prominent Lexingtonians to the Entré Vous kitchen in Bellerive Plaza to make that connection for people who are temporarily away from home. The local celebrities donned aprons and prepared entrés, enough to serve 150, which were donated to the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program.
"One of the things we struggle with is how to feed the clients we serve," Robin Brock, family advocate for the program, said. "This is wonderful because we can stock our freezer with delicious, gourmet meals that can be used as needed."
Harriet Dupree Bradley, president and founder of Entré Vous, said serving families is the company's mission, and Family Day seemed like the perfect opportunity to help those in need. Entré Vous is a meal assembly business where guests create nearly a month's worth of entrés in less than two hours, for about $3 per serving. Entré Vous does all the prep and clean up, so guests just make the dishes they've selected and take them home for baking whenever they want them.
In this case, the guests were volunteers who wanted to assist the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program. Participating were University of Kentucky women's basketball coach Mickie DeMoss; Sharon Thompson, Lexington Herald-Leader food columnist; WLEX news anchor Dia Davidson and her husband Raymond Smith of Community Trust Bank; Kristie Runyon, WTVQ news anchor; Barbara Bailey, WKYT news anchor; Melanie Glasscock Simpson, former Miss Kentucky and television news anchor; Karen Caldwell, U.S. district judge; and Isabel Yates, former LFUCG vice mayor.
Participants said they not only had a great time preparing the meals, but also enjoyed giving back to the community. Judge Caldwell said she sees the effects of domestic violence in her courtroom and that the Entré Vous event was an effective way to create awareness about the problem.
"This is a marvelous opportunity to have a good time while doing something beneficial," she said. "Entré Vous was very generous in donating time, facilities and food for this event."
The volunteer chefs enjoyed the camaraderie in the kitchen as they worked together and individually to prepare meals from Entré Vous' September menu. Yates made cheesy meatloaf along with smoked turkey and white bean chili, which she said she'd never tried before. Others made dishes such as chicken Wellington, raspberry pork chops, Cajun barbecued shrimp, white pizza with chicken and potato crusted salmon.
Davidson said she and Smith generally split the cooking duties at home, and there was no doubt he enjoyed making spaghetti pie while charming the volunteer chefs and Entré Vous staff.
"This was a phenomenal opportunity, and I'm always thankful to give back," Smith said. "The Bible teaches us that much is given and that much is required. So whenever I have the opportunity to give, I seize it."
Brock said, typically, shelter residents take turns cooking, or the staff might make pots of chili or soup. The food comes from a variety of sources, including God's Pantry. Brock said the Entré Vous fare will be a treat for residents.
The Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program's emergency shelter is located on 40 acres in Fayette County and has 32 beds, which are always full, according to Brock. The program offers a variety of free services for residential and non-residential victims of domestic violence. The residents are women and children, all of whom are eligible for free counseling services. Additionally, a cooperative children's center and parenting support are offered, plus tutoring and education advocacy to assist children and families in meeting social, emotional and educational goals. Financial literacy workshops and individual financial counseling are offered along with Individual Development Accounts to assist low-income women and families as they work toward home ownership.
"Domestic violence affects the entire community," Brock said. "It's very important for the women at our shelter to realize they aren't alone. Events like this show people care and that they want to reach out and help. That is very empowering for our residents."
Helping people get dinner on the table was the impetus behind the beginnings of Entré Vous.
"In my catering business, I started receiving requests from people who needed an easy way to provide dinner for their families, nutritional food for aging parents or just a casserole to send to a bereaved friend," Bradley said. "Entré Vous fills all those needs at a good price value. And the best part is it's fun to do."
Entré Vous is three years old and growing quickly. Bradley, a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, is franchising the company nationally. Currently, there are five locations and the company expects to have 12 open by year's end. More than 50 are in some phase of development.
"We decided that serving others was the best way to celebrate our third anniversary," she said. "Partnering with the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program allows us to bring a little joy to people through our food, and that's what our kitchens are all about."
For more information about the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program, call the toll-free crisis line at 800-544-2022.
For more on Entré Vous, visit www.entreevous.com.
"