On Tuesday, December 8th The Saga Humane Society celebrated the final cook-off of the year at Island Time Beach Bar. The charity event included award winning chef dishes and saw Saga 2015 Cook-off winners along with some new restaurants joining the worthy cause. Once again, the different dishes of each cook’s choice were judged by a large crowd that showed up for the fundraiser. At the end of the night, only one chef could walk away with the title of 2015’s Saga Top Chef.
For a small fee, guests had the opportunity to sample the different meals available. Most of the competitors were return cook-off winners, and they presented their meals with much enthusiasm, with a different dish in every food station. The delicious signature food choices included: Twisted Tuna Pasta Extraordinaire, Pizzaghetti, Pecan Pie Gooey Bars, Curry Tropical Salad, Meatball Veneziano, Shrimp Bacon Wrap with coconut and ginger sauce, Piña Colada Shrimp Curry with white mole coconut rice cracker, Baked Ziti and Key Lime Cheesecake.
The crowd had the honor of being the judge for the night, and those in attendance certainly had the arduous task of deciding which dish was the best from the nine meals presented. By the end of the night, it was Ashley’s Smoothies Shack and Deli who took home the first place and ‘Top Chef’ title, with their delicious Meatballs Veneziano dish. Second Place went to Rain Restaurant for their Piña Colada Shrimp Curry with white mole’ coconut rice cracker, and third place went to Nancy Nida, with her yummy Pecan Gooey Bars.
The event also saw the raffling of fabulous prizes, such as gift certificates from coffee shops, dinners at restaurants, among others. While everyone enjoyed the tasty dishes, Brent Butcher serenaded the evening with classic tunes. All proceeds of the evening continue to go towards the care of the animals at the humane centre and Saga’s Spay/Neuter Initiative Program.
The Saga Humane Society would like to extend its gratitude to each chef that participated in the final event of 2015. Special thanks also goes to everyone that supported them by volunteering, attending the various cook-off events or donated in any way possible throughout 2015. Volunteers included Kathy Marin, Dawn Locascio, Sandi Betz-Eisenberg, Heather Smith and Bill Milstead. Special thanks also goes out to Brent Butcher for playing at the events for free. Saga looks forward to more successful events in the future, and is already preparing for their first cook-off in 2016.
The San Pedro Sun congratulates the 2015 Saga Top Chef and commends Saga on yet another year of outstanding work.
