CA Iron Chef Cook-Off: The Results
CA's Iron Chef Cook-Off was such an incredible event. I had high hopes for it, but was overwhelmed with joy to find out we had over 75 guests attend! Around 2 p.m., people started to trickle into the Stanton Street backyard, where tables were decorated in lovely red and white fruit arrangements, and with veggie platters.
Our six competition judges (Steve Coe, CA’s nutritionist, personal chef, and program directors), all wearing their specially designed T-shirts, were ready and eager to taste all the delicious food our contestants had prepared. Steve Coe even claimed to have skipped both breakfast and lunch in preparation for his judging duties!
Our six finalists’ dishes were varied and full of flavor, from Freddie Benton’s turkey gyros with cheese, lettuce, and tomato, to Olivia Clemmens’ steak with shrimp, brown rice and asparagus. After our judges tasted everything, guests were able to walk around the backyard and try it all, too. Everyone was eating, laughing, and having a good time as we tallied the votes.
Every contestant really enjoyed sharing their dishes. Said Joyce Moore from Access House: “I really like cooking, but I love cooking for other people more than cooking for myself.” Her grilled chicken breast on brown rice with a mango vegetable salad was a big hit.
In the end, the Cook-Off Champion was Javonne Smith from Avenue D, with her dish of grilled salmon on spinach with roasted vegetables. Karla Colon, meanwhile, took home the People’s Choice Award with her pineapple chicken breast, served alongside mac n cheese and broccoli.
- More Cook Off photos over on CA's Facebook page!
Each contestant walked away with a $50 gift card for participating, and every guest with healthy grab bags filled with healthy snacks, nutritional information, and delicious apples. Everyone seemed so happy and content… I can’t wait to do this again next year!
