Chefs Around the Table had Our Guys Cooking for a Cause

What do you get when you combine 93 chefs and their favorite recipes? The Chefs Around the Table event! On Thursday evening, this all gentleman crew stirred, mixed, cooked, and baked a foodie’s paradise! Held at the Porter County Expo Center, the affair, hosted by EMPOWER Porter County, boasted delectable palate pleasers in the categories of Appetizers, Soup and Salad, Entree, and Dessert, as the contestants were vying for the top chef spot in each of the four categories and winning with the coveted Cutco Knife.

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The evening kicked off with a cocktail reception and social hour which afforded the chefs time to mingle with the attendees, talk up their recipes, garner some monetary votes for their tip jar, and chat with professional chefs and tasters, Carlos Rivera, Don Quijote Restaurant, George Djurovic, Main + Lincoln Restaurant, and Nicole Bissonnette, Bartlett’s Gourmet Grill, and Phil Potempa. This group had the arduous task of selecting one dish to be named the overall Professional Taster’s top award winner.

Anthony Contrucci, Director of Investment Services, Centier Bank, served as Master of Ceremonies, and welcomed the guests to the inaugural event. He offered many thanks to the sponsors and in-kind donors, and shared that without the vision and financial support of the Porter County Commissioners, Porter County Community Foundation, City of Valparaiso, City of Portage, United Way of Porter County, Porter Regional Hospital, and Northwest Indiana Public Service Company, all founders of EMPOWER Porter County, the evening would not be possible.

EMPOWER Porter County, founded in 2012, is an initiative of the Porter County Community Foundation to help build strong families, resilient teens, and reduce substance abuse and risk factors. Chefs Around the Table is a unique fundraising event to support the substance abuse initiatives of EMPOWER Porter County. The event was initiated by Heather Harrigan Hitz, Executive Director, EMPOWER Porter County, following a visit to the Bloomington, IN area and seeing an advertising banner for a 100 Men Who Cook fundraising event.

“It seemed like a creative idea, and I immediately researched this, as the Community Foundation has been trying to get a men’s event as they have such a successful women’s tea. So far, the men have really taken to the idea and responded with great enthusiasm.”

The event title, Chefs Around the Table, was aptly named as a spin on Around the Table, an EMPOWER PC initiative.

The 93 man chef crew, from all walks of life, was composed of fathers, educators, businessmen, attorneys, doctors, clergy, and community leaders all across Porter County who support the cause. One such individual is Garner Tullis, President of Our Greater Good. Garner was on the Chefs Around the Table Steering Committee to oversee recruitment and management of volunteers for the event, and competed in the Entree division with his famous smoked ribs and brisket.

“I got involved with Chefs Around the Table on many levels. I wanted to support the event, and I’m very enthusiastic because I so believe in EMPOWER Porter County tackling the substance abuse issue in Porter County.”

He also added that an extra bonus to attending was having the opportunity to eat pies made by Rick Urschel, President and CEO, Urschel Laboratories!

As event co-chairs, Wes and Sarah Kotys, The Kotys Group, shared that they were proud to be a part of the business community that has shown their support with their time, input, culinary skills and money. They both agreed that, for them, the highlight of the event was seeing the community come together with so much generosity and excitement in support of the cause, and to show support to the healthy family structure which makes this beautiful country succeed.

Kaye Frataccia, Program Manager, Around the Table, shared a similar highlight of the evening. “One of the highlights for me was very much like what I experienced with ValPLAYso. It’s bringing the community together. When you have 93 men from all different backgrounds coming together, teasing each other, building friendships, and all for the sake of family and kids, it’s a good thing! It’s another example of building community in Porter County.”

Preparing a comfort food, creamy chicken pot pie, Dr. Rod Gardin, Superintendent, East Porter County School Corporation, was also a chef participant. He became involved in the event because EMPOWER Porter County has a mission of providing resources to help families combat substance abuse.

“Whether or not people realize, there is a substance abuse problem among our youth in Porter County. Most prevalent is the use of heroin,” Dr. Gardin said. “The Around the Table initiative has provided families with a method of increasing communication within their families and communication between parents and children is so very important to keep kids drug free.”

Following the introductions, the moment the audience had been waiting for! Parading to the Black Eyed Peas tune “I’ve Got a Feeling”, amidst thunderous applause from the attendees, the apron and chef’s hat clad contestants made their way to the designated tables to begin serving their delectable dishes.

As the guests circulated around the room enjoying the chef’s samples, they shared both praise for their favorite dish, and a donation to the chef’s tip jar.

Collecting the most tips and winning his individual category was Chef Nick Popovich for Appetizer, Chef Steve Lunn for Soups and Salad, Chef Tim Scannell for Entree, and Chef Rick Urschel for dessert.

Chef Paul Stanish claimed the Professional Tasters’ Award, and Chef Nick Popovich took home the Overall Top Tip Award.

In addition to the delicious food samplings, many fabulous prizes were won at the live auction.

At the conclusion of the evening, everyone departed with a full stomach and happy heart, knowing they had contributed to helping making a positive difference in Porter County.

Chefs Around the Table wishes to thank all in attendance, and a special thanks to the following sponsors and organizations:

Presenting Sponsors - The Kotys Group, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Executive Group Real Estate, Northwest Indiana Public Service Company, Porter Regional Hospital, Sage-Popovich, Inc. Task Force Tips, and Urschel Laboratories

Supporting Sponsors - Centier, Horizon Bank, and St. Mary Medical Center

Participating Sponsors - Indiana Beverage, Meyers Glaros Group, Porter County Community Foundation, Thorgren Industries, and Ric and Kaye Frataccia.

Organization Assistance - D. Cohn Communications, Highway 61, Ideas In Motion Media, Inc., Kraft Auction Service, Prime Parking Solutions, Suore Event Consulting, and the NWI Times.