Satisfied, smiling faces at the 23rd Annual Celebrity Chef Men Who Cook Event

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

As I walked through the door, I could smell the remnants of what I had missed: delicious Mac and Cheese Bites (Alex Battick), Salt fish Delight (Lester McDonald), and Sweet Potato Bites with Avocado and Jerk Shrimps, and Pot Roast Pork with Breadfruit (Nicholas Stennett).

I had missed the tension that fills the air during these competitions; the hectic nervous atmosphere, the sweat that beads on participants brows because of either panic, or because the room is hot. What I did not miss is the satisfied look that I saw on attending guest’s faces at the 23rd Annual “Celebrity Chef- Men Who Cook” event that was held on Saturday, March 5^th at the Century Gardens Recreation Centre at 340 Vodden Street East.

The smiling, satisfied faces were all that I needed to see to know that the night was a success. With 22 Chefs competing and about approximately 31 dishes, this cooking competition was not just a way to pass the time. This fundraiser is in support of scholarships, and youth and community initiatives. One-third of the net proceeds were donated to the Paediatric Program (Sickle Cell Disease Support), Brampton Civic Hospital.

Each year the United Achievers’ Club has put on this event for the community to not only highlight the great men in Brampton, but to force them to prepare a meal that they have to organize and plan on their own. The Celebrity Chef had a chance to show the community what they were capable of, and it was a great opportunity for many of the men in terms of personal development.

Family members may not be able to evaluate them from an objective position, but the community was ready to eat, enjoy and critique. It was not just about winning, but with interacting with community members, which was great for networking, and getting the Celebrity Chefs names out there.

Some popular Chefs participated this year including: Mayor Patrick Brown, MP Ramedsh Sangha, Courtney Guy, Streete Kitchen, Soulyve (Phil Dewar), Tricnic Catering and newcomers from Liaison College. Some Chefs were excited about the event and showed their support on Twitter:

“Getting ready for Celebrity Chef “Men who Cook” hosted by the United Achiever’s Club in Brampton. We made Lasagne!” (Mayor Patrick Brown)

“I served Butter Chicken at Celebrity Chef “Men who Cook” event. Thanks to United Achievers’ Club for hosting the event.” (Ramesh Sangha)

The Chef of the Year and People’s Choice was Courtney Guy with his Blackened Salmon served with Spanish Rice, and his Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad. Winning the event was obviously a great way of getting their name and skills known by the community, but what was even better was that it was for a good cause.

In close competition with his Mini Mango Marscapone Cheesecake, and Crunchy Curry Chicken Egg Rolls was Apprentice Chef, Joshua Ibrahim from Liaison College who was a newcomer to the event.

The MC for the night was Charles Matthews Jr from CMJ Entertainment, who kept the audience laughing with his usual comical antics. The sponsors (Jamaica Tourist Board, Gart Electric Inc., and Toronto Caribbean Newspaper) were there to support the event and show their appreciation to the community.

They had a 50/50 raffle, which was won by one of the young women who attended. Ms. Ghena Purewal impressed me, when she won the $200.00 raised from the $400.00 from the 50/50 raffle and donated the entire check back to William Osler Health System. Two beautifully dressed students representing the Edge Program presented the cheque to Ghena, and then discussed the importance of the Edge Program and what it had done for them. In a very generous fashion, Charles donated a $50.00 gift card to the young lady and her family for their generous donation.

All was not lost for me. Marjorie and Marva both set aside some treats for me, which I dined on when I got home. Next year, I am just going to have to arrive on time.