David Watson-Jackson, 15, knows how to sweeten the pork chops he cooks.

The football and track athlete got the idea to add balsamic vinegar and rosemary to his braised pork dish after watching Martha Stewart prepare something similar on television. He’s been cooking at home for several years.

“I like to cook healthier than everybody else,” said the Lawrence High School junior.

On Sunday, the young chef was in his element as he joined seven other area men in the second “Real Men Cook” fundraiser for the Lawrence-Douglas County NAACP at Steve’s Place, 1388 N. 1293 Road.

The event, through ticket sales and donations, helps raise money for the local branch’s general fund and its Freedom Fund event in October for scholarships, said branch President Donna Bell.

Sonya Johnson, first vice president, said the cooking event raised about $1,500 in 2006, and organizers hoped to surpass that total this year.

NAACP State President Charles Jean-Baptiste, of Shawnee, contributed peach cobbler with ice cream and Boudin balls, a Cajun recipe. He said the fundraiser was unique and fun.

“It brings the community together and that’s the nature of the NAACP,” said the retired federal government civil rights investigator.

He also couldn’t resist a metaphor for what he called total community involvement through education and communication among people of all races.

“I would like to cook a recipe, a dish that would bring people out and bring people together,” Jean-Baptiste said.

About 50 people attended, including City Commissioner Boog Highberger.

Other featured cooks were Barry Barnes, Frank Gazella, John Harrod, James Minor, David Osaki and David Classen-Wilson.

Judges were Barbara Huppee, executive director of the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority; Steve Maceli, owner of Maceli’s; Wayne Martin, owner of Royal Crest Lanes and Wayne & Larry’s Sports Bar & Grill; Steve Ramirez of Kansas University’s Department of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity; and Lewis Roberts, a bailiff in Douglas County District Court.