Chef’s Challenge: Culinary magic to benefit Food Pantry
By Submitted Story on November 20, 2016
Coffee-coated canned tuna cakes with maple syrup demi-glace? Instant potato casserole studded with peanut butter Pop-Tarts?
If the average person tried to make culinary magic from the Beach Food Pantry’s list of most-donated items, chances are the results might not be so tasty. But what about when you ask some of the Outer Banks’ best chefs to make culinary magic?
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That’s what we really hope to find out,” says Beach Food Pantry Executive Director Theresa Armendarez. “We want to see how creative our local chefs can be making delicious meals out of everyday food items. And, of course, we want to raise money and awareness to fight food insecurity right here on the Outer Banks.”
It’s called the Beach Food Pantry Holiday Chefs Challenge, and here’s how it works: 12 area chefs have 60 minutes to cook a delectable dish using anything that is on a list of items that the Beach Food Pantry has in stock, with one of the items having to be a canned good (vegetable, tuna, beans, and the like).
Attendees will then sample each creation and vote on the tastiest, most creative dish. While making top-notch cuisine from non-perishable goods may sound tricky, you’d be surprised what a good chef can do with canned goods, ground beef, and a rack of spices.
Then again, maybe you wouldn’t. After all, we’re talking about some of the Outer Banks’ best restaurants. Every one of which is as competitive as they are skilled.
Want to help choose the crown prince or princess of canned goods? Join us on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk. For $50 enjoy DJ Music, two drinks (select beer, wine and soft drinks), a tasting of an appetizer, dessert, or entrée that each chef is preparing specially for the event, plus one “Culinary Coin” to vote for your favorite creation.
Don’t be afraid to bring money to buy extra “Culinary Coins” to help your favorite chef win, and to participate in the prize basket raffles, silent auction, and the 50/50 drawing.
All proceeds help feed Dare County’s families who can’t afford to be finicky. Buy your tickets here, visit the Pantry at 4007 N. Croatan Highway in Kitty Hawk, or head to the Food Pantry’s web site, or call 252-261-2756 for additional information.
Cash, credit cards or checks made payable to the “Beach Food Pantry” are accepted.
Outer Banks restaurants/chefs participating include:
Simply Southern Kitchen;
Eastside Restaurant
; Coastal Provisions; Oyster Bar & Wine Bar Café
; Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar
; The Saltbox Cafe
; Pigman’s BBQ;
BK Shuckers Oyster & Sports Bar
; Frogman’s BBQ
; Jolly Roger Restaurant;
Blue Moon Beach Grill;
Port O’ Call Restaurant and Gaslight Saloon
; Garden Grille & Bar at Hilton Garden Inn
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The event is sponsored in part by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and Dowdy & Osborne. All proceeds will benefit the Beach Food Pantry to assist in its mission to provide direct nutritional assistance to Dare County residents in a temporary crisis or emergency situation. The Beach Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt organization under the IRS code.
