Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Fort Worth nonprofit announces winners of “Cookin’ for Kids” cookoff

By Pegasus News wire

Kids Who Care, a non-profit international musical theatre company based in Fort Worth, announces the winners of its Eleventh Annual Cookin' for Kids Celebrity Chef Cook-Off, a benefit event that has also become known as "The Iron Chef of Fort Worth." Jon Bonnell of Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine was the Grand Winner; Robert Jones of RJ Catering won the award for Best Culinary Technique; Denise Shavandy of Central Market won the award for Most Creative; and Joseph Vincelli, jazz saxophonist and co-originator of the first Cookin' for Kids, was Grand Winner in the amateur chef category.

The benefit event was held Sunday, March 2 at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center, where 12 professional chefs, each with a notable Texan as an assistant, competed in a race against the clock to create the evening's winning plates. Each pair was provided with a cooler full of surprise ingredients, two bunson burners, and 45 minutes to create two plates. One plate was delivered and divided among the evening's four judges, and the other was auctioned off to the evening's highest bidders. Simultaneously, three amateur chef teams competed in the "amateur chef" category.

"We're grateful for the ongoing support of the area's talented, generous and fun-loving chefs," said Deborah Jung, founder and executive director of Kids Who Care. "This is an amazing, high-energy event our guests look forward to each year, and sincere appreciation goes out to our sponsors, notable Texans, judges, tasting stations and dedicated volunteers who made this event such a success."

Cookin' for Kids is Fort Worth's original celebrity chef cook-off benefit. It's held the first Sunday in March each year and is the single largest fundraising event for Kids Who Care. All proceeds benefit Kids Who Care and help provide scholarships, youth leadership training, and other support that makes Kids Who Care arts education and affordable family entertainment available in our community.

Celebrity chef/notable Texan teams competing in the 2008 Cookin' for Kids cook-off included:

Frederic Angevin of Four Seasons with Sue Parrish; John David Barrett of Café Art with Larry Anfin of Coors; Jon Bonnell of Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine with Wendy Davis, former city councilwoman; Deb Cantrell of Brownie Points Personal Chef Service with Pam Minick of Billy Bob's; Terry Chandler of Fred's Texas with Whitney Kane of the Texas Brahmas; Mario Jasso of El Paseo & Tres Joses with Rebecca Miller, ex-NBC 5 meteorologist; Robert Jones of RJ Catering with Monette Brooks; Franson Nwaeze of Chef Point Café with Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Dave Lieber and his son, Austin Lieber; Jason Park of Sushi Q with Beth Zimmerman of the Harris Methodist Foundation; Dena Peterson of Café Modern with country singer/songwriter Sonny Burgess; Denise Shavandy of Central Market with Jody Ulich, president of the Fort Worth and Tarrant County Arts Council; Charles Youts of The Classic Café with Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Joy Donovan.

Amateur chefs competing this year were: Jim Ogden, assisted by Paul Jung; Craig Strehl, assisted by Bennie Wallace; and Joseph Vincelli, assisted by Lisa R. Vincelli.

Serving on the 2008 judging panel were Greg Kalina, manager of Del Frisco's Steak House; Sandy Bowersox, membership director of The Petroleum Club; Johnny Wayne of Country Legends 92.1; and Laurie Barker James, local freelance writer.

Sponsors included The Happy Davis Foundation (presenting sponsor), The Ranch Radio Group (VIP party sponsor), Freese & Nichols, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Vineyard at Florence, Ben E. Keith, Reliant Signs, All About Recognitions, Aramark, Altre Media, Republic Title, and Fetzer Vineyards. Private sponsors included Mr. and Mrs. Don Cowart, Mr. and Mrs. Early Davis, Mr. Eric Fox and Ms. Carrie DuVall, Ms. Carrie Harrington, Steve and Monica Kintigh, Rush and Mary Vann, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Lansford, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Parrish and Mrs. Roz Rosenthal.

Source: Kids Who Care

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