Chefs Take Home Trophies, People With Disabilities Benefit

PRLog (Press Release) - Jun 22, 2010 -
(PINE LEVEL, NC) – Two North Carolina chefs took home trophies and six others received accolades, but the real winners of the second annual Epicurious Vino Challenge held recently at Hinnant Family Vineyards in Pine Level are the people with disabilities served by RHA Howell, Inc. The wine and food event raised $30,000.

For the “challenge,” professional chefs competed to see who could come up with the best dish using a Hinnant Family Vineyard wine that they pulled out of a hat. The crowd in attendance chose a People Choice Award winner and executive chefs from US Food Services named the Chef’s Choice through a blind judging.

The Chef’s Choice Award went to Chef Brian Battistella of Battistella’s New Orleans Kitchen in Raleigh (located in the Crabtree Inn above Crabtree Valley Mall). Using Hinnant Family Vineyard’s “Tar Heel Red” wine, the chef, a New Orleans native, created Creole spiced pork tenderloin served with Tasso ham, mashed sweet potatoes with muscadine gastrique, charred sweet pepper salad, and crisp sweet potato chips.

The Peoples Choice Award went to Chef Robbie Lilly of Sisters Garden & Catering, also in Raleigh, who created Beef Tenderloin with a “Hinnant Bordelaise,” using Hinnant’s “Noble” red wine, laced with sautéed shitake mushrooms and served over Gouda grits.

In the Chef’s Choice category, US Foodservice Executive Chefs Bob Passarelli, Mark Turner, and Wes Dills named Chef Tom Armstrong of Vinnie’s Steakhouse and Tavern in Raleigh in second place and Chef Pat Walston of House Autry in Four Oaks in third.

In the People’s Choice category, the crowd in attendance placed Chef Battistella in second place and Chef Walston in third.

Other participating chefs included Executive Chef Clifton Vogelsberg of Solas Restaurant, Lounge & Rooftop in Raleigh; Colleen Speaks of Posh Nosh Catering in Raleigh; personal chef Melinda McGuirk of Charlotte, and Chef Martin Nessley of Sunset Grille in Cary.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the results of the 2010 Epicurious Vino Challenge,” said Debbie Valentine, special events and marketing planner for RHA Howell. “Our guests couldn’t stop talking about the fantastic dishes all the chefs created. And it’s all of those chefs, who set aside precious time from their hectic schedules to contribute to this event, that a good idea last year became a great idea this year. Along with Hinnant Family Vineyards, our sponsors and everyone who attended, we’ve sent the message that even in the most stressful times, caring for people with disabilities is still a top priority.”

Presented by RHA Howell, the event was sponsored by Hinnant Family Vineyards, US Foodservice Raleigh, and Fallon Benefits Group.

RHA Howell is a statewide organization that has been helping people with disabilities and their families for 35 years. For more information, visit www.rhahowwell.org.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/10752411/1