March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction

I judged this event September 28. First of all, they are not auctioning off chefs. The auction part of the event is for donated items, luxury-oriented, ranging from a vacation in Hawaii to original paintings, other home décor, as well as personal services from various salons- hair cut, coloring, styling, etc. Proceeds benefit the March of Dimes, whose efforts on behalf of at risk babies is certainly worthy of support.

Eight area chefs provided food samples, and the audience as well as four “pro” judges rated the dishes. The chefs/restaurants were Brad Semon/The Painted Plate (catering)- a New York Strip steak flanked by grits topped with crabmeat, Nino Giaimo and Eric Snow/GIA – meatball with sweet potatoes on the side, Derek Cress/Cristina Gray’s at the JH Adams Inn in High Point- cherry braised short ribs and a dessert, John Drees/Southern Lights- baby back ribs and a crab cake with remoulade sauce, Matt Kidd/1618 Midtown- crispy pork belly and steamed wahoo, James R. Patterson/Sedgefield Country Club- pork cheek and beef tongue tacos, Chris Russell/B.Christopher’s- pork tenderloin with apples and onions and garlic mashed potatoes, and Michael Harkenread/The Undercurrent- braised beef with potatoes.

I have judged a lot of chef competitions. Although these events produce a designated winner, in my judgment, there are no losers. It takes nerve to even enter such an event, and a lot of skill to pull it off for an audience so large. I found no weak entries. Everything was good. Some dishes struck me as better than others, but all chefs showed solid performance.

The audience winner was John Drees of Southern Lights. The “pro” judges picked the entry from Brad Semon/The Painted Plate. I would add that only two points (out of 104) separated him from Chris Russell of B.Christopher’s on the four “pro” ballots. br />
A great evening of good fun and good food for a worthy cause!

Recommended Restaurants in North Carolina Mountains

These recommendations are from my book, Chefs of the Mountains. Order autographed copies directly from me (click on link above, "About ...). Free shipping/postage.

Blowing Rock: Best Cellar, Bistro Roca, Chetola Resort, Green Park Inn, Gideon Ridge Inn, Rowland's at Westglow Spa and Resort, Storie Street Grille

Boone: The Gamekeeper, Vidalia

Linville: Esseola Lodge

Banner Elk: Louisiana Purchase, The Painted Fish Café, Sorrento's Bistro,

Valle Crucis: Mast Farm Inn

Asheville: Biltmore restaurants, Curate, Nightbell, The Junction, The Market Place, Red Stag Grille at the Grand Bohemian Hotel, Rezaz, Roux

Highlands: Cyprus, Old Edwards Inn, Wolfgang's on Main

Cashiers: High Hampton Inn, The Orchard

Spruce Pine: Knife and Fork

Hot Springs: Mountain Magnolia Inn

Hendersonville: Never Blue

Saluda: The Orchard Inn

Flat Rock: Season's at Highlands Lake Inn

Waynesville: The Swag

Canton: Sunburst Trout Farm (not a restaurant, but look for products in groceries, especially Earth Fare)