Hundreds gathered at the Turner Hall Ballroom Thursday night to mark the half way point to St. Patrick's Day.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians or AOH  hosted a "Taste of Ireland"  which included an Irish Stew contest and a trophy for best wild card Irish dish.

Local restaurants donated the food and ticket holders got to vote for their favorite.

"The key to a good stew is making it with love," explained defending champion Brian Francis of Mulligans in Franklin, WI. "You have to love what you do."

Sean Burke of Burke's Irish Castle at 52nd and Blue Mound says they altered the recipe a bit for the night's event.

"We made it with some tenderloins," Burke told CBS 58's Michele McCormack. "Some curry powder, some Irish whiskey and some Guinness stout."

Marquette University Dental students also handed out raffle tickets.

The money raised will go to three historic Catholic schools. 

Irish fellowship was on full display with a sense of charity and of course a wee bit o' fun!

For an in depth interview with Milwaukee AOH Vice President Shannon Burns click here