Not your average “Food Fight”: Culinary competition to benefit Cherish Receiving Center

MONTEREY, Calif. - June 3, 2015 - PRLog -- The Portola Hotel & Spa and Jacks Restaurant & Lounge will host the second annual “Food Fight” Culinary Challenge charity event to benefit the Cherish Receiving Center on Sunday, June 14.

During the event emceed by KION-TV news anchor Jon K. Brent, Executive Chef Jason Giles will put a team of junior and professional chefs’ culinary skills to the test as they engage in a friendly “food fight” during two 30-minute rounds using “Mystery Baskets” of ingredients. The two junior chef teams will be comprised of youth between the ages 9-14 from the Bay Area’s premier professional cooking school, Junior Chef Stars; the mentor chef teams include renowned local Executive Chefs Tony Baker, Todd Fisher and Colin Moody.  In the first round of competition, local chefs will mentor the junior chefs; in the second competition round, the junior chefs will mentor the local chefs. A panel of judges led by The Grub Hunter and KRML General Manager Mike Hale will determine the culinary champions.

“At the Portola Hotel we really enjoy any opportunity to support the youth in Monterey County. Supporting children and their creativity in the kitchen while supporting a great cause is what it’s all about.” says Executive Chef, Jason Giles.

The festivities will take place from 1:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the De Anza Ballroom. Guests will have the opportunity nosh on an array of appetizers and beverage tastings from Peter B’s Brewpub, De Tierra Vineyards, Hahn Estate, Heller Estate, Galante Vineyards, Joyce Vineyards, and Monterey Bay Wine Company. Event-goers will have also have the opportunity to hear from former foster youth invited to speak at the event.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Cherish Receiving Center, a safe haven for youth to go when they are removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. Since 2006, the Cherish Receiving Center has served as a safe haven that provides support and comfort to more than 2,000 youth ranging from newborns to age 17 when they have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. The center is a partnership between Monterey County and Aspiranet, a leading human services agency of California.

“Loving, caring individuals at the receiving center need our support to help them provide this vital service to at risk youth. Cherish has added some stability in their lives to be able to put their best foot forward in making a life for themselves and their siblings. It's never easy for them but we can soften the blow with love and a caring attitude,” says Brent.

Sponsors of this year’s event are: Portola Hotel & Spa and Jacks Restaurant & Lounge, SYSCO Food Services of San Francisco, Chefs Warehouse, San Francisco Specialty Produce and Heffernan Insurance Brokers.

Individual tickets for the event will be sold for $50 per person and reserved tables for 10 are also available for $450. Attendees who wish to reserve tickets in advance may do so by visiting www.aspiranet.org/foodfight. For more information, including how to become an event sponsor, call Ellyn Brannon at 831-540-4141.