VERO BEACH — The Tides Chef Leanne Kelleher and her irresistible Comfort Food creation – slow-roasted Carolina pulled pork with creamy cheese grits, crispy biscuits and sweet corn relish – took top spot among the 12 chefs who competed in the Qualifying Event for the Vero’s Top Chef Challenge Monday night at the Elks Lodge. The event is the annual fundraiser for the Homeless Family Center.
Each attendee could vote for one entree and one dessert winner; and the top four entree chefs and one dessert chef will go on to the final Challenge Feb. 27 at The Club at Pointe West.
Joining Chef Kelleher in the final Challenge will be Chef Chris Bireley, of Osceola Bistro, Chef Chad Darwent, of Hale River Market and Chef Jay Herman, of Pipa Movida.
The chefs had prepared small, tempting tastes of their most creative cuisine for the 288 guests to sample, and virtually everyone agreed it was a very tough choice to make.
This year, for the first time, a dessert category was added, in which three chefs participated. The competition could not have been closer: Chef Sean Pierce, of Carnival Confections, and Chef Paul Conti, of Casereccio, tied for second place with 79 votes each.
Chef Gina Battle, of Faith, Hope and Chocolate, took the top sweet spot by a single vote and will be the dessert creator for the February final challenge.
The event has become so popular that more space was needed, so the venue was changed to the Elks Lodge this year.
It was, said Center Executive Director D. Lorne Coyle, “the best turn-out ever.”
Moving from one mouth-watering station to the next, the guests had mastered the Move of the Evening: plate in left hand, fork in right hand, take a step or two, glance about, pause, take a bite, repeat. And onward through the crowd.
Coyle praised the committee, co-chaired by Neda Heeter and Kristine Klose, and the Chef Coordinator, Chef Michele Hennessey. Corporate Presenting Sponsor was George E. Warren Corp. Food Sponsor was Gordon Food Service.