2013 Celebrity & Chef Cookoff
Posted on June 12, 2013 by Ching under Events.
Brian and I had a great time at the 2013 Celebrity & Chef Cookoff last night. It’s a benefit for the Wichita Orpheum. The event was sold out so Brian and I both felt so fortunate to have gotten tickets at the last minute.
This year’s celebrities included Judy Adams, Wichita State University women’s basketball head coach; Marc Bennett, Sedgwick County District Attorney; Linda Brantner, Delta Dental of Kansas President & CEO; Wayne Chambers, High Touch CEO; Jeff Korsmo, Via Christi Health President & CEO; Mark Larson, KWCH Meteorologist; Michael O’Donnell, State of Kansas Senator; and Roger Scholfield, Scholfield Honda President. The chefs this year were Kevin Derks, Newport Grill; Ben George, Treat America at Beech Activity Center; Jake Lippincott, Pretroleum Club; Martin Martinez, Candle Club; Jim McNulty, Kansas Star Casino; Peter Moretti, Wichita Marriott; Marshall Roth, Siena Tuscan Steakhouse at Ambassador Hotel; and Nathan Toubia, Bocconcini Italian Eatery. Three-time champion Chef Jason Febres returned this year as one of the judges. Denise Neil, Wichita Eagle restaurant reviewer; Joe Stumpe, freelance journalist; and Suzanne Tobias, Wichita Eagle family and education writer, complete the rest of this year’s judging panel.
Brian and I got to sample delicious creations by The Anchor, Bocconcini Italian Eatery, Taste & See, Bella Luna, Bob & Luigi’s, Cake Face Bake Shop & Deli, Fat Jewish Girl Catering, Olive Tree, Wichita Marriott, On the Border, Petroleum Club, Public at the Brickyard, Siena Tuscan Steakhouse, A Taste of Art, Treat America, Wagonmasters, etc. We’ve dined at many of the places, but there were a few we’d never tried before. The food was plentiful and the alcoholic beverage flowed freely. The Orpheum folks sure know how to party.
We had a great group from work last night. Ginger attended with her two daughters. Karen came with her husband Don. Patrice, Bridget, and Jimmy (who is actually on the Board of Directors of the Wichita Orpheum) also attended. We had a table full of fun people. A few of us actually won some silent auction items.
There was one live auction item that I wanted, the movie night at the Orpheum, but the price quickly escalated. I think it went for almost $5000. Whoa! It’s scary how high those live auction items go for. One guy accidentally made a bid while waving his bottomless martini order over. The auctioneer was like, “This is a live auction. You can’t be waiving your arms about.” Shortly after that, I almost did the same thing when I was waving good by to some of the members of our group as they were leaving. Ooops! Good thing Brian quickly made me put my arms down. LOL.
There was one table that seemed to bid and win everything. Although, the biggest winner of the evening was Siena’s Marshall Roth when he was anointed winner of the 2013 Celebrity & Chef Cookoff. They were at the table next to ours and the entire table erupted in gleeful celebration when the winner was announced.
Brian and I had a fabulous time. I hope we get invited back next year!
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