COOKING FOR A CAUSE
Chefs compete in Duke It Out contest to benefit children’s home
Nine chefs will get 30 minutes to impress a panel of judges and the public with either a savory entree or delectable dessert during Duke It Out.
The charity event on Wednesday, Sept. 26, benefits El Ranchito de los Niños, a nonprofit children’s home that focuses on keeping brothers and sisters together.
Six local chefs will compete in the Savory competition. They are Raul Maestas, Ohana Hut; David Ruiz, Toltec Brewing Co.; Brent Moore, Pueblo Harvest Cafe; Stefani Mangrum, City Treats Pastries and La Fonda del Bosque; Adrian Patterson, Comfort of Forque Kitchen & Bar; and Israel Rivera, The Shop. Last year, Ruiz won the People’s Choice award and won the Judges’ Award for best entree. Participants are told what ingredients they will be working with 24 hours before the event, with the exception of one secret ingredient.
“For the Savory category, they have to cook a main dish for the judges in 30 minutes or less from a basket of ingredients,” said Abby Eden, special events coordinator. “There are seven ingredients. They have to use all seven. On the night of the event, we throw in a secret ingredient that no one knows about. They will be live-cooking for a panel of judges. The second part is they have to prepare a bite for the guests that come for the event, and then there is a People’s Choice Award for the sampling of the bite.”
Chefs Michael Fram of Standard Diner and Steve Riley of LVL5 in Hotel Chaco will compete in the dessert category. Last year, Fram won the Judges’ Award for best dessert. Fram and Riley will have 30 minutes to create a dessert for the judges. They also will have dessert bites for guests to vote on for the People’s Choice award.
Proceeds from ticket sales and a raffle will go toward El Ranchito de los Niños.