Local Chefs Competition to Benefit the Berkshire Food Project

Print Story | Email Story
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Berkshire Food Project, a nonprofit organization providing nutritious meals daily to those facing food insecurity, announced that local chefs will compete to create small plates — or "super bites" on Friday, Sept. 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Greylock Works.
 
Tickets are $100 and include a sample of all bites, a drink, food-themed music by Gabe Besaw's Rebel Beat Sound System, and one vote for their favorite dish. 
 
"The highlight of the evening is the competition between local chefs using ingredients commonly found in the Berkshire Food Project pantry," said Mariah Forstmann, Berkshire Food Project board member and Super Bite chair. "The event will support the continuation of Berkshire Food Project's efforts to provide over 200 nutritious meals a day in a community setting to those facing food insecurity."
 
In addition to the chefs' challenge, Super Bite will feature a silent auction with "one-of-a-kind experiences" and a cash bar. 
 
Doors open at 6; tickets are only available in advance and can be purchased at Berkshire Food Project.
 
Individuals who wish to support Berkshire Food Project but cannot attend may make a tax-deductible contribution.
 
Chefs competing in the 2025 Super Bite include Brian Alberg of Brian Alberg Catering; Meghan Daly of Steeple City Social; Ety Mundeke-Atwood of Tourists; Justin Forstmann of Casita; Brian "Swifty" Josephs of Door Prize; Tu Le of State Food & Drink; Kevin Orcutt of Mezze; Aaron Oster of AOK Berkshire BBQ; Kevin Kelly of After Hours; Leah Guadagnoli of Fancy Feast Supper Club and more. 
 
All of the chefs and servers are donating their time and talent in support of the Berkshire Food Project mission.
 
This event is made possible with the sponsorship of Avela Floral, Baldor, Casita, Greylock Works, MS Walker, Oz Wine Co., and others.

Tags: Berkshire Food Project,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid. 
 
The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.
 
"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.
 
A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 
 
Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 
 
Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 
 
They will submit those with a school picture to the governor. 
 
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories