Chefs from Oak Harbor Club, Joey’s Seafood Shack, The Tides and Quail Valley Golf Club engaged in a battle of epicurean expertise at Vero’s 2015 Top Chef Challenge Finale, held last week at The Club at Pointe West to benefit the Homeless Family Center.
At the end of the hard-fought culinary competition, last year’s winner, Chef Dean Evans, Executive Chef at Oak Harbor Club, retained his title; he was voted Vero’s 2015 Top Chef.
It was an evening of gastronomic pleasure, with 150 guests choosing their favorites from four savory courses prepared by chefs voted through by attendees of the Top Chef Qualifier in January. That competitive field included Chefs Fernando Pons, Agape Café; Michael Chandler, Chelsea’s On Cardinal; Lou Kolbauer, Chive; William Grondzik, Club at Pointe West; Taylor Rye, Moorings Club; Chris Bireley, Osceola Bistro; Tristyn Baron, Wild Thyme Catering; and Dave Schneider, IRSC Culinary Programs. Each of the 15 competitors also donated fabulous food-centric silent auction items.
“Thank you for all of your generosity and support tonight and helping our families in need,” said Mary Ellen Maguire, HFC executive director, welcoming guests and thanking the talented chefs and generous sponsors. “We can only do this together.”
The food at the Qualifier and Finale was again donated by Gordon Foods. Republic National Distributing Company and Quail valley Golf Club graciously donated the selection of wines accompanying each course. It was the fifth year of chairing the two-part event for Erin Clinton, who had as her co-chair Joe Chiarella.
“Erin has really carried this. This is the first time I’ve co-chaired but it’s good training if I do it next year,” said Chiarella, before sharing how he first became involved. “A few years ago, when Julia Keenan was the director, we were at a social function. I came from law enforcement and had a view of homelessness that was skewed. Julia challenged me and said, ‘Come and take a look and we’ll show you from our perspective.’ I took a tour and was blown away with the reality – the families, the kids – it just opened my eyes. Every year since then I’ve tried to get involved in some way.”
Dinner began with lobster cakes, wild rice, coleslaw and ratatouille, prepared by Chefs Joey Fenyak and Kim Coveny of Joey’s Seafood Shack. The winning course by Chef Evans paired a pan-seared sea scallop and a dipping sauce with a lamb lollipop accompanied by balsamic roasted vegetables. The third course, by Chef Bruce Turner of The Tides, was a duck duet; seared breast and pulled, with caramelized parsnip puree and root vegetables. The fourth course, by Chefs Erik Poffinbarger and Brian Jones of Quail Valley Golf Club, featured Applewood bacon wrapped beef tenderloin stuffed with foie gras, served with spinach soufflé and dauphinoise potatoes.
“They were all so good; I hate to pick one,” said Kitty Kirby. To keep votes based solely on taste, presentation and originality, diners were kept in the dark as to who had prepared the entrées.
“Every year it’s a little bit different and every year you get something extraordinary,” added George Fetterolf. “And here comes the dessert; bacon for dessert!”
Desert Champion Chef Joe Faria, Sweet Touches, won the title at the Qualifier, competing against Tim Blouin, Grand Harbor Club and Jan Neubauer, U Take the Cake. Faria, who helped create the event seven years ago, ended the dinner with a sweet touch indeed; a trio of desserts featuring a chocolate cake, bacon brittle ice cream and the apple beignets that won him the title.
The Homeless Family Center provides shelter and opportunities for families to strive for self-sufficiency through education, living wages and permanent housing.
“The people we’re helping are the invisible homeless,” said Maguire. “We have 57 children and 25 adults. We have become the largest child services provider in the county.”
She introduced Dale McGee, who had reached out to HFC after her husband abandoned her and their five children.
“Homelessness can happen to anyone. I know, because it happened to me,” said McGee. “The Homeless Family Center is a gift to our community and is providing an opportunity for so many to end homelessness.”