DEARBORN MARKET HOSTED CHILI COOKING CHALLENGE TO BENEFIT BRIDGES STORY SUSAN MURPHY | PHOTO CREDIT ROBERT CATALANO
ABOVE Left to right: Chili Challenge Judges Frank Luccarelli of Dearborn Market, Kathy Logan of BRIDGES, first place winner Mimi Chang Turbitt of Middletown,and Judge Drew Araneo of Drew’s Bayshore Bistro gather for a photo at the annual Chili Cook-off held on January 31, 2016. LEFT Michael is joined by his family after winning the Customer Choice Award. DEARBORN MARKET held its second Chili Cooking Challenge on January 31, 2106. It was their fifth annual cook-off and one of their best. All proceeds from this event went to BRIDGES at the Shore, an Outreach Program that helps Bayshore families in need. Twenty-one entries were sampled by a steady flow of customers throughout the two-hour event. Each batch of chili was unique and many included the use of secret ingredients, use of a cherished family recipe, and putting a new spin on a tried-and-true recipe. Toppings of shredded cheese, sour cream, jalepeno corn bread chunks, corn chips, and much more were available for customers to try on the various styles of chili.
Twelve-year-old Tinaz Kotval of Aberdeen made her very own receipe called “Super hero Chilly.” She loves to cook and said, “Entering cooks-offs is a fun way to embrace the things you like to do. It’s good experience. Her eleven-year-old sister Mehr also entered with her “Quinoa and Corn Chili.” She loves to cook soup and stew with her Dad, and said, “It’s good to get involved in the community. Doing this helps you get out and try new things.” Nine-year-old Sydney Fair of Aberdeen said this was her first time here. She likes to cook and hopes to enter other chili contests. Fifteen-year-old Nicholas Giunta of Middletown made a smoked short rib chili. Although this was his first time here, he said, “I have been cooking with my Dad since I was six.” He would like to attend culinary school in the future. Following the sampling of each chili, customers were asked to vote for the one chili they felt should win the Customer Choice 18
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Award. The final say for first, second, and third winners of the Chili Cooking Challenge was in the hands – or spoons! – of the panel of three judges which included Frank Luccarelli of Dearborn Market, Kathy Logan of BRIDGES, and Drew Araneo of Drew’s Bayshore Bistro. “It was a tough competition. And it was great seeing young people in the challenge,” said Mr. Luccarelli. “BRIDGES at the Shore appreciates the support from Dearborn Market each year. It was especially great to have several young people in the competition this year. I look forward to this continuing to be an annual event,” said Mrs. Logan. “This was awesome. There was a good variety of chili dishes. It’s getting tougher each year to choose the winners!” said Mr. Araneo. First place went to Mimi Chang Turbitt of Middletown with her “Asian Short Rib Chili.” Mimi said she likes to cook competitively. “I cook American food and put a novel twist to it like using aromatic Asian spices which make it stand out.” Second place winner was Victoria Arlia and third place winner was Lori Davidson. The winner of the Customer Choice Award was fourteen-year-old Michael Campanella of Holmdel with his “Chili con Miguel.” This was his first competition. “I was so shocked and excited that I won!” he said and noted that one of his secret ingredients was maple syrup. Mimi Chang Turbitt received a $100 Dearborn Market gift card, an official trophy, and her winning recipe will be featured in Dearborn Market’s March Almanac.