A group of Lawrence area men worked hard in the kitchen and helped raise $1,000 on Saturday for the Lawrence branch of the NAACP’s scholarship fund.

Judges handed out awards at the Real Men Cook event at Steve’s Place, near 31st and Louisiana streets. Kevin Johnson cooked a “piping peppery pork loin” and won the award for best main dish.

Al Ballard received the appetizer award for his Louisiana red beans and rice. James Minor cooked “your tummy bread pudding” to win the dessert award.

Johnson, who also cooked “decadent lemon cake,” and Minor, for his bread pudding, also tied for the people’s choice award.

The judges were Lawrence residents Dr. Jacqueline Kenoly, Steve Ramirez and Wayne Martin.

Sonya Johnson, the NAACP branch’s vice president, said the event raised about $1,000 for the scholarship fund, and the funds will help the branch award scholarships to area students in the spring.