(MURFREESBORO) Saturday was a sunny and 60-degree day for the 11th Annual Cookin' To Build around the historic Rutherford County Courthouse. The popular food event raises money for Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity to help build safe, energy-efficient and affordable homes for low-income families across Rutherford County.

The public paid $20 per handmade bowl, which they were able to take home, and went from one cooking team to another sampling their delicious soups, Chilis and stews.

In addition, students from Murfreesboro City Schools offered all types of live music. Everything from choruses, steel calypso type drums and more.

And while the children shared their talents, the participating non-profit groups, local government and businesses competed for the public's vote on the "best entry".

Many of the ticket holders had the enjoyment of painting their own personal bowl at The Pottery Place in the months prior to the event. The Pottery Place also donates the bowls for the other ticketed attendees. The many colorfully painted bowls are a highlight of the event.

Looking Back to Previous Events:

Previous Cookin' To Build events raised over $15,000 each year and helped build many Habitat houses including the 2017 Women Build for the Oriz family on Johnson Street in Smyrna and the 2017 Veterans Build on Douglas Ave. in Murfreesboro for Navy veteran Anika Taylor. Sponsors for the 2018 Cookin To Build event are Nissan USA, The Pottery Place, Atmos Energy, Knights of Columbus, and CSL Plasma. Additional funding is from HomeAdvisor.com, Kroger, Ascend Federal Credit Union, and Priority Staffing.

More About Habitat:

Habitat does not give houses away but instead helps families who would not qualify for a mortgage and provides the financial education and guidance for them to buy a house, at no profit to Habitat, through a 0-interest mortgage. In addition to a mandatory 50-hour financial and homeowner education program, they must complete 300-400 hours of "sweat equity". Habitat Partner Families are then equipped to sustain their home, manage their money and move out of the cycle of poverty.