From donning an apron to stepping up as Sous Chef Sponsor to supply the wine, Tony Pinto is an exceptional example of the Men Who Cook to benefit Women & Family Life Center (WFLC).

On Sunday, Nov. 3, Tony and 24 volunteer male chefs will be part of the manpower making up the 19th annual Men Who Cook, a premiere charity event taking place at the Owenego Inn in Branford.

Both professional and home cooks from area towns will whip up their best dishes for a meal orchestrated by Greg Benson, owner of Madison Friends and Company restaurant, and Jeff Trometta, a culinary arts professor. Tickets are available now for what Tony is certain will be a very exciting year to attend Men Who Cook, with its expanded new cocktail party format, full dinner in inventive "small bite" courses, chef competitions, and exciting auctions.

The fun filled evening attracts community and business people from around the shoreline, and this year Foxwoods Resort and Casino will be sending its executive chef and two other head chefs to participate in the small plates experience. An exciting silent auction offers multiple marvelous prizes-including Tony's donation of a big (five liter) beautiful bottle of Rocca delle Macie 2011 Chianti Classico. All proceeds from Men Who Cook benefit programs of WFLC.

Serving the shoreline and beyond for more than 20 years, last year WFLC initiated new programs to help families deal with the toll the prolonged recession has taken on area families. For example, "Smart About Money" pairs lower-income families struggling to make ends meet with trained volunteers to help them gain the insights and skills needed to create greater financial stability. "Lawyer Time" provides free one-on-one legal consultations on issues relating to divorce, custody, housing, employment, and other issues. WFLC also added an evening divorce support group to serve women who work.

"We aren't done expanding our programs," says WFLC Executive Director Peggy Britt. "Last year, Men Who Cook helped us start new programs that responded to the many requests we had in helping women and families face new emotional, financial, and legal issues. Already, the demand for these programs has outpaced our capacity. This year, we are asking the community to come together to help us expand these programs and continue addressing new needs, such as helping women re-enter the workforce."

Perhaps there is no better way to support WFLC than to enjoy attending Men Who Cook, says Tony.

"Men who Cook is such a fun night for such a great organization," he says. "I enjoyed it when I was cooking and I'm enjoying supporting them as a sponsor. There's a lot of camaraderie among the chefs; everyone's proud of their accomplishment, and it's all being done for a great cause."

Tony has picked out some extraordinary wines to complement the delicious dishes, including a reserve cabernet from Argentina and "a lovely Portuguese red that is so delicious, so yummy," he says, with his typical enthusiasm.

Tony has been involved with Men Who Cook since its birth as a chili cook-off on through to what is now an evening filled with a four-course menu of enticing small plates, music, mingling, and-thanks to Tony-wonderful wines.

As proprietor of Guilford's Shoreline Wine Merchants since 1985, "we specialize in out-of-the-ordinary wines," says Tony, who bought the business four years after joining the company in 1981. His appreciation for fine wines was first inspired when traveling to Germany as a member of the UConn marching band.

"Back in 1977, we did a performing tour of Europe and we fell in love with the German wines. Well, at that time, a major fundraising idea was to hold a beer fest. We went back to the University of Connecticut and had the first wine fest," says Tony, who still plays the clarinet and is a supporter of UConn's music program.

A former music teacher at Cheshire Academy, Tony remains involved in the arts as board member and treasurer of Shoreline Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he is in his third year as scholarship chair for New Haven's Amity Club, awarding $160,000 in scholarships in that time to students from New Haven and towns contiguous to New Haven.

Giving back to the community in many forms makes perfect sense to Tony, who is also in his 13th year as a volunteer cook for the Community Dining Room in Branford, which serves the shoreline and area towns. He and his wife Ruth support many local causes and are also very involved in supporting programs at Guilford High School, where their daughter plays violin and runs cross country.

"I learned many years ago that it was important to give back to your community," says Tony, who will be recognized by the Cystic Fibrosis/Multiple Sclerosis (CF/MS) Fund of New Haven in November for his support of that effort. Tony will be the Wine Sponsor of a CF/MS event in November, as well.

"I started off cooking with Men Who Cook because I love to cook," says Tony, "and when they were looking for a wine sponsor about six years ago I offered to do that. I just think what Women & Family Life Center does is so great. People don't realize there is a need in our area. But people struggle, in every area."

WFLC presents Men Who Cook on Sunday, Nov. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Owenego Inn, 40 Linden Avenue, Branford. Tickets are available online at www.womenandfamilylife.org or by calling the center at 203-458-6699.