Chefs Chris Fennell and Nate Shahan team up during the GoPacks Top Chef Challenge. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
On Friday, culinary talent and community spirit shone brightly at the GoPacks Top Chef Challenge held at the Marietta Shrine Club. This annual event brought together three teams of both seasoned and amateur chefs who cooked live, using ingredients typically provided in GoPacks’ weekend food program.
According to Executive Director Heather Warner, the goal is to highlight food insecurity while showcasing creativity. “This is our biggest fundraiser. It’s a fun event that uses food to tackle food insecurity and unite our community,” she explained.
GoPacks assists families by supplying shelf-stable items along with recipes and nutrition guidance. This support spans across all grade levels in Marietta City Schools, aiming to alleviate the challenges faced by students experiencing food scarcity.
Hannah Wolfe expertly prepares dough for baking. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
During the competition, chefs had just 45 minutes to whip up dishes from categories like breakfast, lunch, and snacks, closely mirroring the items families often receive. These included basics like canned vegetables and granola bars.
Kim Burnett, a former head chef at Mother Earth Foods, joined to give back. “Heather helped me in the past, and I wanted to support the cause,” she shared, emphasizing her background in vegetarian cooking.
Hannah Wolfe, associated with Morrison Healthcare at Selby General Hospital, echoed this sentiment: “We’re always looking for ways to reach out and give back. This event fits perfectly with our outreach efforts.”
Chris Fennell prepares ingredients during the cook-off. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
For some participants, like Chris Fennell from the Marietta City Schools Board of Education, the issue is personal. “We serve nearly 150 families in Marietta. That’s meaningful for the kids I represent,” he noted.
His teammate, tattoo artist Nate Shahan, enjoyed the opportunity to make a local impact: “This program aids many in Washington County, and I’m happy to contribute.”
Fennell and Shahan won the challenge with their fig-crusted salmon dish.
Kim Burnett marinates salmon during the event. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
The evening also featured live and silent auctions, all aimed at fueling GoPacks’ mission. Warner stressed that the program goes beyond mere food distribution. “We help families build healthier habits and connect them with community resources,” she added.
This event reflects a growing trend in community-driven initiatives. According to a recent study by Feeding America, one in eight Americans face food insecurity. Events like GoPacks’ Top Chef Challenge are vital in raising awareness and resources to combat this issue.
Talking about community support, it’s inspiring how social media has fostered discussions around local food programs in recent years. Hashtags like #FoodInsecurity and #CommunityGiving have gained traction, prompting individuals and organizations to engage in meaningful conversations and actions.
Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com.
Hannah Wolfe sautés rice at the GoPacks event. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Heather Warner welcomes attendees to the Top Chef Challenge. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Source link
Local News,GoPacks Top Chef Challenge raises funds to fight food insecurity, winners announcedNews,GoPacks Top Chef Challenge raises funds to fight food insecurity, winners announced
