VERO BEACH — The competition was deliciously competitive, but in the end, Vero newcomer Chef Lou Kolbauer, chef/co-owner of Wild Thyme Catering, triumphed over three other wonderfully talented contenders to win bragging rights as 2013 Top Chef at the Homeless Family Center Vero’s Top Chef Challenge Monday evening at the Club at Pointe West.
Kolbauer and the other finalists, Chef Chris Bireley, Osceola Bistro chef/owner; Chef Greg Hepler, Pelican Diner chef/owner; and Chef Bruce Turner, executive chef of The Tides had been voted into the Finale from a field of 12 at the Top Chef Qualifier event at the Elks Club in January.
Chef Joe Faria, executive chef of Quail Valley Golf and River Club bested two sweet competitors at the Qualifier to become 2013 Dessert Champion, and provide a scrumptious Finale finish.
But long before dessert, the hungry crowd whetted their appetites over cocktails while perusing an assortment of silent auction items, including culinary contributions from each of the competitors.
“We’re excited about everything; the food is going to be incredible,” said Angela Morgan, who co-chaired with Erin Clinton.
2009 Top Chef Michele Hennessey served as Chef Coordinator, and 2011 Top Chef Andrew Keller gave over his Pointe West kitchen for the carefully choreographed competition.
To keep the votes based solely on taste, presentation and creativity, Clinton said, “We are keeping who prepared the dishes a secret. People like the suspense; it’s fun to see the reaction from the crowd when we introduce the chefs by what they served.”
The four delectable entrees and dessert were each paired with a special wine courtesy of Republic National Distributing Company which donated the fine selection. Gordon Food Service continued its support by generously donating the top-quality food for Qualifier and Finale.
As diners awaited the first course, Lorne Coyle, Homeless Family Center executive director, thanked all involved saying, “Our goal for this event is to raise enough money to feed, house, job counsel and transport all of our 19 families for one whole month.”
Dinner began with Kolbauer’s winning dish, a combination of poached lobster, grilled pork tenderloin medallions, grilled pear and pan seared Roman gnocchi. Next – Turner’s pan roasted black grouper, served with a warm mushroom salad and rice croquette, Bireley’s melt-in-your-mouth marinated short rib and grits combo, and Hepler’s spiced lamb chops, paired with sesame cucumber noodle salad. Faria sweetened the deal with a trio of kumquat ice cream, peanut butter chocolate bombe and apple strudel.
The votes of Top Chef judges John Costello, Gordon Food Service commercial sales manager, Debbie Midkiff, program director for the Culinary Institute at Indian River State College, and Tina Rondeau, Vero Beach 32963 restaurant reviewer, were weighted with diners’ votes for the final decision.
Even while enticing aromas wafted through the room, it was the mission of the Homeless Family Center that lingered in diners’ minds.
“There are 66 families on the waiting list; already screened,” said Coyle. “It’s hard for the staff. The needs are so overwhelming that it’s easy to give up. Every day we struggle, knowing that the 19 families we have at the moment are but a drop in the bucket. One of my jobs is to remind the staff that our job is to help one family, one life, one day at a time. If we do that, it will make a difference and down the road we can help another and another.”
As guests awaited the results, Coyle asked the women in the room to stand, noting that among them was one of the HFC residents and adding, “I’m not going to point her out, but I am sure that you won’t be able to pick her out. She is one of us.”
The Homeless Family Center is the only emergency and transitional shelter for families on the Treasure Coast. Tours are available at 4 p.m. every Wednesday afternoon.