Cooking for Man’s Best Friend

The Dierbergs Des Peres Culinary Event Center went to the dogs last Friday night as Stray Rescue founder Randy Grim assisted Dierbergs chef Marianne Moore in “Cooking for Man and his Best Friend,” a special interactive cooking class that included preparation of an Italian feast, wine pairings and a take-home doggie treat.

Dierbergs donated 20 percent of the class proceeds to Stray Rescue of St. Louis.

This isn’t the first time the family-owned supermarket has partnered with the no-kill shelter. In fact, the Stray Rescue donation-at-checkout program, which began in 2008, has been deemed an extraordinary success. In 2012, Dierbergs’ customers donated nearly $45,000 to Stray Rescue. This money aids the Stracks Fund for emergency animal medical care and other pet-care expenses. Customers are able to donate to Stray Rescue simply by adding any dollar amount to their total at checkout.

“Donations continue to increase each year, as does wonderful, heartfelt feedback for this program,” explained Laura Dierberg Padousis, Dierbergs VP and secretary. “Stray Rescue is a local organization and definitely a cause the community feels very strongly about.”

In addition to the donation-at-checkout program, Dierbergs also features a Stray Rescue Pet of the Week program, where a Stray Rescue dog or cat is featured weekly on electronic in-store signage and online. Customers are encouraged to apply to adopt the Pet of the Week and to consider other pets available through Stray Rescue.

Dating back to a country store in 1854, Dierbergs Family Markets now employs more than 4,000 associates in 24 stores in St. Louis and St. Charles counties, and Shiloh and Edwardsville, Ill.

IN THE PHOTO: Dierbergs Chef Marianne Moore and Stray Rescue Founder Randy Grim prepare Farmers Greens with Asiago Cheese Soufflé & Tomato Compote at the “Cooking for Man and His Best Friend” class.