Upcoming Chili Cook-Off in Castleberry Hill

THE 10th Annual Castleberry Hill CHILI COOK-OFF is Saturday, October 22, 2011

Proceeds Benefit the Castleberry Hill Fire Department and the Castleberry Hill Neighborhood Association

Atlanta, Georgia (October 5, 2011) – The 10th Annual Castleberry Hill Chili Cook-Off is taking place on Saturday, October 22 at the Elliott Street Deli and Pub. Not only will there be terrific chili to sample; there will also be a hot dog eating contest and live music. The winner walks away with a badass trophy and of course chili bragging rights. This year’s judges will include firemen from the neighborhood’s Fire Department as well as Atlanta Restaurant Blog’s Malika Harricharan, author of the new book, Food Lovers’ Atlanta. As in previous years, proceeds will benefit the Castleberry Hill Fire Department the Castleberry Hill Neighborhood Beautification projects. Entry is free. Tastes are $5 each. For more information, visit http://castleberryhill.org/ch_calendar/chili-cookoff/

When: Saturday, October 22, 2011
2 p.m. to 5:00 p.m

Where: Elliott Street Deli and Pub
51 Elliott St Atlanta, GA 30313 www.elliottstreet.com

Cost: Free Entrance. Tastes and beer samples are $5 each.

Benefiting: Proceeds Benefit the Castleberry Hill Fire Department and the Castleberry Hill Neighborhood Association

Website: http://castleberryhill.org/ch_calendar/chili-cookoff/

Parking: Plenty of Free Parking in the lots at and around Elliott Street Deli and Pub.

Schedule

2 p.m. Event Begins

3 p.m. Judging Begins

4 p.m. Hot Dog Eating Contest

4:30 p.m. 2011 Chili Awards

Sponsors: Elliott Street Deli and Pub, Boar’s Head Tweet it: 10^th Annual Castleberry Hill Chili Cook off, 10/22, beer, live music and more: http://castleberryhill.org/ch_calendar/chili-cookoff More Info: http://bit.ly/p00Ubm

San Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Competition - Southeast Region

Winner Elizabeth V. Freer from the Culinary Institute of Charleston. Her Rabbit Two Ways really impressed the judges!

I previously blogged about my experience judging this event here. However, as the result of wedding-madness I am just now getting around to blogging about the entire event including all of the dishes we judged. This was such a fun event and I was thrilled to be asked to Judge along with some of Atlanta's "top chefs"!

First I was allowed to observe the chefs at work.

Then time for tasting. Here we are all hard at work judging!

Bourbon-glazed Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Southern cornbread dressing and haricot vert AKA green beans.



My personal favorite: Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Mole Scented Demi served with Purple Potato Tostada and Agave nectar glazed jicama and Calabaza.



The winner: Rabbit Two Ways: Sweet Braised Rabbit Ravioli (yum!) with Pecan and Spice Encrusted Tenderloin served with Baby Spinach and Grilled Radicchio Saute with Cinnamon.



Hazelnut and Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb with Star Anise Scented stone ground grits and ratatouille tart.



Lemongrass stuffed airline breast with wasabi and beet mash potato and stir-fry. Spicy and interesting!



Lemon Pellegrino Pressure Braised Short Ribs with Smoky Gouda Grits and Seasonal Succotash.



Seared Duck Breast with buttered cabbage, ginger-butternut squash puree, mustard-chive spaetzle with braised leg.



Roasted Rabbit Roulade with Sweet Tea Polenta and Collard Greens with Pan Jus.



Awaiting the big announcement!

San Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Competition

On Monday I was thrilled and honored to be asked to judge the San Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Competition's Southeast Regions event, held at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Tucker, Georgia. I, along with four awesome Atlanta chefs, watched the eight culinary students from across the Southeast prepare their signature dishes. We tasted each one and had the opportunity to ask questions of the culinary student who created each dish. The winner, Elizabeth Freer, pictured above, cooked "Rabbit Two Ways: Sweet Braised Rabbit Ravioli with a Pecan and Spice Encrusted Tenderloin". It was delicious - especially the ravioli. Other highlights: Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Mole Scented Demi and Wasabi/Beet mashed potatoes! Sweet tea polenta also made an appearance - very creative. The other judges were: Shaun Doty of Yeah Burger (and the now closed Shaun's), Hugh Acheson of Five and Ten, The National (both in Athens) and Empire State South, Jay Swift of 4th and Swift and Ford Fry of JCT Kitchen. It was a really fun event and actually an unexpected surprise that I was included as one of the judges. Elizabeth, along with the other regional winners, gets to go to Napa Valley for the finals. Good luck Elizabeth!