Kitchen tour and tasting delights offered in Beaver-Brighton scholarship fundraiser

Ever wonder how your kitchen might look if you had more time, money and/or creativity?

Maybe you'll glean an idea by attending the 22nd annual Kitchen Tour & Tasting Delights that raises scholarship money for local women pursuing college degrees.

The popular event returns Sept. 23, hosted by the American Association of University Women, Beaver Valley Branch.

The tour features five kitchens in Beaver and Brighton Township, with foods at each kitchen prepared by local chefs.

That befits this year's theme: "The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home".

The event begins at 9 a.m., and runs through 3:30 p.m., at the Marketplace at Dutch Ridge Elementary School where patrons present their tickets and door prize coupons and receive the tour brochure with information including location of the homes and details on the chefs. A complimentary recipe booklet will be available.

Highlights of the Marketplace include 50 auction baskets of all varieties including unique Tasting Treats Across the USA baskets and a Money Tree. Twelve specialty boutiques will feature jewelry, cosmetics, painted furniture, handmade doll clothing, specialty chocolates, biscotti, home accessories, wreaths, handmade cards and crocheted items. Gently used handbags, jewelry and accessories will offer bargains for all shoppers. Diane Bell, author of children's books, will be present for book sales and signing.

AAUW members will provide a large variety of sweets for the bountiful bake sale. Coffee will be sold.

Food trucks are new this year, with Papa Duke's and Los Gingos Tacos outside the cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A dining area will be available inside the cafeteria for patrons to enjoy their lunch.

The house tours run from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and can be traveled in any order.

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Participating houses with their AAUW writeup:

Bob and Brooke Bickerton, 189 College Ave., Beaver

The stately home was built in 1876 and carefully restored in 2017, giving attention to maintain the 19th century style throughout the home. Six-inch crown moldings and baseboards are suited to the original 10-foot ceilings. The cabinets are tall − almost to the ceiling and finished with the wide-crown molding reminiscent of the 1800's. The counters are white granite and the stunning backsplash is aptly named Arabesque. The look is pleasantly electic.

Chefs Rob and Kim Ganstar of Fritzy's Bistro, Ambridge, will offer samples of stuffed pepper soup.

Denny and Diane Ward, 197 College Ave., Beaver

Built 10 years ago, this transitional style kitchen combines dark-stained maple floors with white wood cabinets for a dramatic effect. The cabinets feature pull-out, soft-close drawers. Deep drawers accommodate pots and pans. White quartz counters top the rich dark finish of the cabinets. The unique stove and toaster oven are gas on top and electric on the bottom. A wine cooler with temperature control, which can be set for white and red wines, is a very special addition. The all-wood kitchen table is oak with a hand-painted, distressed finish seats 10. The kitchen is spacious, cheerful and well-appointed for the hostess who welcomes family and guests.

Chef/Co-Owners Marian Schwartz and Langton McComas of Quality Time & Carryout in New Brighton will provide autumn harvest tortellini.

Nick Zunic, 800 River Road, Beaver

This home is the newly renovated David Johnson House that originally was constructed from Fort McIntosh logs in 180,5 which have been preserved in a section in the remodeled living area. David Johnson served as the first prothonotary of Beaver County and the first teacher at the Beaver Academy. The house has been completely restored and renovated. The spacious kitchen has custom Amish-constructed cabinets in a soft sage green complemented by a ceramic tile backsplash in beige tones and white quartz countertops. Unique features include the coffered ceiling, large island and newly designed arched sightlines to the other living areas.

Proprietors of the Penalty Box, New Sewickley Township, will provide samples of lemon chicken.

Damien Eonta, 340 Insurance St., Beaver

This 1930 historical home is one of a few local homes built during that era. The use of the clinker bricks in the outside wall and the slate roofing are a unique feature. The kitchen remodel was completed in 2022. Originally there was a wall between the kitchen and dining room roughly where the peninsula is located with a swinging door. The oven and dishwasher were made in Italy.

Chef Brian Burgess of the Wooden Angel Restaurant, Beaver, will serve risotto.

Ed and Nancy Jagela, 123 James Drive, Brighton Township

This home was completed in 2018. The modern kitchen/family room combination was designed for good looks and efficiency. The white cabinets contain hidden features such as a chalkboard inside the doors for memos and important dates. Cabinets and drawers have pull-out features for organization. The brown-tone island with a white quartz counter contains a preparation sink, a wet bar sink and a third full-size professional-grade farmer's sink. An electric stove top and microwave plus a gas oven and stovetop provide any cooking needs.

Owner, Christopher G. Weck, of Sinful Sweets, Beaver Falls, will offer novelty chocolates.

Ticket information

Funds from the Kitchen Tour support scholarships for Beaver County high school girls, non-traditional women students, law students and Community College of Beaver County students. Since 2002, 100 students have received scholarships for a total of $148,000.

Advance house tour tickets are $20 at The Hostess Shoppe, Beaver. Same-day house tour tickets are $25 at the Dutch Ridge School. Tickets will not be sold at the homes.

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For more information, call 724-846-4260, visit the BeaverValleyAAUW Facebook page or beavervalley-pa.aauw.net/kitchentour.

"The AAUW Kitchen Tour is a unique fundraiser that supports one of our mission goals which is to advance gender equity for women through education," Jean Macaluso, AAUW Kitchen Tour chairperson, said. "This purpose is woven into a full and fun day for women and men who enjoy visiting beautiful local kitchens, remodeled or newly constructed, sampling foods from chefs in each kitchen, and shopping at the Marketplace at Dutch Ridge Elementary School. Success each year is attributed to the total membership who assume responsibilities at the Marketplace and the homes."

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Kitchen tour & tasting delights in AAUW fundraiser for scholarships