NATCHEZ — The men of First Presbyterian Church in Natchez will put on their chef’s hats for the church’s annual Men’s Culinary Dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. this evening at the home of Chuck and Chris Borum, 20 Trails End Road in Natchez.

Tickets to eat are $20 each and are sold at the event or at the First Presbyterian Church office, said the Rev. Joan Gandy, pastor.

“The event was organized many years ago — going on 20 years or more — and this year is going to be hosted at the home of Dr. Chuck Borum,” Gandy said. “He is also the chairman of the missions committee at First Presbyterian and all proceeds fund local and outside mission trips.”

Chuck Borum, M.D. said the dinner seems to grow more and more each year, adding more than $7,000 was raised for missions in the past year alone.

“We asked the men if they could prepare the meal. Initially, we thought everyone would be bringing wild game dinners, but everyone stared branching out,” Borum said.

Some men prepare game while others found they were experts at making pork chops or chili, Borum said. Those who were not the best cooks secretly solicited their wives’ help until they had enough food to fill a buffet line, he said. 

In the past, Gandy said the church has also traveled to different parts of Brazil and Mexico where new Presbyterian churches were being built.

“We would help them build new buildings, start church programs and install water systems,” Gandy said.

Borum said he has also taken other doctors with him on medical mission trips to Cité Soliel, Haiti, where they treated French-speaking individuals living in slums.

Locally, First Presbyterian uses mission funds to support local people in need within the Natchez community by handing out food and care packages to families and children in school, Borum said.

“There is a lot of hunger in our community that most people wouldn’t think about,” he said.

Borum said even the men who bring the food pay to eat and often non-members of the church have joined in to support the cause. Cars park along the street leading up to Borum’s home and a golf cart is used to shuttle people to the driveway, he said.

“It’s become a social event that people in Natchez look forward to every year,” Borum said. “Everyone is invited to buy tickets and we also accept donations. … It’s a great way to spend a couple of hours just visiting and breaking bread with friends.”