Franchon L. “Fran” Randall is a good cook, even if she says so herself.

The pescatarian’s favorite dish to whip up is fresh spinach, red onion, basil and fresh garlic and tomato sauce over angel hair pasta and topped with grilled or baked salmon.

But on Saturday, Nov. 3, the 48-year-old certified public accountant is stepping aside to let the men cook.

Ms. Randall is co-chair of the chef coordination committee for “Sauté and Sizzle: Richmond Men Are Cooking,” the annual fundraising event for the Rho Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

This is the 12th year for the event that will feature more than 40 area men donning chef’s attire and serving up their best dishes to several hundred people for a good cause.

“There will be more chefs and a record number of attendees this year,” Ms. Randall says. “So there will be more food to taste, more people to network with and more fun. It will be an evening of fun.”

The chefs — spouses, friends and supporters of the Rho Eta Omega Chapter — include men stepping out of their day-to-day roles to turn it up in the kitchen. Among them, Dr. Omar Watson, an oral and facial surgeon, Chesterfield Police Detective Darryl Skinner, Thomas White Jr. of the U.S. Army Reserves and Philip Barge, a special education teacher at Colonial Heights High School.

Ms. Randall predicts that all of the dishes will be mouth-watering. She offers a sample:

William Morris, chief executive officer of EdConnect, will be preparing crab soup with crab hushpuppies, and Alvin Strothers, a local accountant, will be cooking his “3 & 7 Alarm Chili” that was a favorite of her grandmother and his church.

“He says it’s a bowl above the rest. I don’t know what’s in it,” she says, “but it’s also a favorite at Virginia Union University tailgates.”

Also in the mix will be a couple of personal chefs, Delron Johnson of Succulent Indulgence and Uton Graham. Mr. Graham will be serving his signature Jamaican-style tilapia, rice and beans and callaloo. Mr. Johnson will cook bacon-wrapped garlic chicken with bourbon maple risotto and champagne saffron caviar in a caramel caged dome.

“It’s fun to see the men cook, all dressed in their white chef’s hats and black aprons with AKA across the front in green,” Ms. Randall says.

Along with the creative cuisine, guests can enjoy dancing to the sounds of DJ Drake and vocalist Miriamm and bidding on a host of items in the silent auction that will include spa packages, wine baskets, tickets to professional sporting events, hotel and resort stays and tax service preparation.

The sorority hopes to raise $15,000 from this year’s event to help support college scholarships the chapter awards to area students and its community outreach programs.

Ms. Randall says a combined $35,000 was awarded in scholarships in 2016 and 2017 thanks to the community’s support for “Sauté and Sizzle.”

Meet volunteer chef coordinator and this week’s Personality, Franchon L. “Fran” Randall:

Occupation: Certified public accountant and tax partner with RyanSharkey LLP.

No. 1 volunteer position: Chef coordinator, Rho Eta Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s “Saute and Sizzle: Richmond Men Are Cooking.”

Other community involvement: Member, American Institute of Public Accountants and Virginia Society of CPAs; past board member and treasurer of Positive Vibe Foundation; National Association of Black Accountants (Richmond); past participant of Virginia Income Tax Assistance Program, Habitat for Humanity and Junior Achievement; and mentor for Richmond area high school and college students.

Date and place of birth: May 15 in Richmond.

Current residence: Hanover County.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting and master’s in taxation, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Family: Daughter, Dara Randall, 25.

Who came up with “Saute & Sizzle: Richmond Men Are Cooking” idea: Former AKA chapter president Sada’ Hill and Karen Hicks attended the similar “Philly Men Are Cooking” event. They were impressed with the event and presented the idea to the members of Rho Eta Omega Chapter as a fundraiser in 1996. It has become our annual signature fundraising event.

How was I able to encourage amateur chefs and local community leaders to volunteer their talents: We are so very blessed that many of the amateur chefs have been volunteering their time and talents with us for several years. They look forward to the annual event to “trash talk” and a “friendly competition.” I, along with other members, made presentations or sent information to fraternities, police and fire units and community leaders. Some of our members gave a gentle nudge to their spouses and family and friends. It is so heartwarming to see the “chefs” excited about helping us give back to the community.

Number of chefs expected: 42.

Some dishes that will be served: Pork chops, bread pudding, savory meatballs, jerk chicken, shrimp and pasta, carrot soufflé and salmon, just to name a few tasting delights.

Portions: Each guest will have an opportunity to taste from 2-ounce serving cups.

A perfect day for me is: Waking up at 5 a.m. and working out before sitting down to watch MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and having my first cup of coffee. If it’s the weekend, I go through the same routine, except I may rise at 7. During coffee time, I often check emails and plan the rest of my day.

Favorite meal: Sushi.

How I unwind: Every evening having a glass of red wine, preferably Malbec.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I love going out to venues with live music and dancing.

Quote that I am most inspired by: “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” — Thomas Jefferson

Person who influenced me the most: My maternal grandmother, Hazel Randall. She was strong and confident. She was a housewife, raised nine children, supported her husband and managed to be everything to her family, plus more. She never complained.

Best thing my parents ever taught me: How to be strong and exude confidence in everything that I do and accomplish in life, believing in myself and knowing my value.

Book that influenced me the most: “The Audacity of Hope” by former President Obama.

What I’m reading now: “Know your Value: Women, Money and Getting What You’re Worth” by Mika Brzezinski.

My next goal: Go to law school and obtain my juris doctor degree and get married, in no particular order.