Kate Lawson on Food

Category: Events & fundraisers

Gleaners Iron Chef a great event

I don't know the official tally of how many dollars were raised Thursday evening at the fifth Gleaners Food Bank Iron Chef competition to help stock the Gleaners food pantry in Livingston County, but I do know it was big fun.

Once again, Corey Bordine and the Bordine family of Bordine's Nursery in Brighton graciously opened their doors to welcome the hundreds of people who attended and turned one of their greenhouses (which they had to completely clear of stock) into a kitchen stadium.

Attendees were treated to delicious food and some terrific auction items as well as the exciting Iron Chef competition. As they left the building each guest received a gorgeous potted flowering petunia. How cool.

I had the pleasure of judging the Iron Chef competition for the third year and each year it gets more intense and delicious.

I was also quite impressed with this year's wine offerings provided by Howells' Main Street Winery & Tasting Room, which offers 30 different varieties of white and red as well as dessert wines. The white was nice and crisp and quite refreshing and the red paired perfectly with the lamb and pork dishes.

Congratulations to this year's winner, Executive Chef Steve Pilon of Oak Pointe Country Club, who took home the title and iron skillet after narrowly defeating Executive Chef Steven Grostick of the Hotel Baronette in Novi.

I'm still dreaming of those fabulous lamb chops and marjoram fingerling potatoes. I loved that fellow judge Rob Hindley of TW and Friends in Howell actually picked up the bones to nibble all the tender goodness. I subtly tried to follow suit but it's hard to be discreet when you're on a stage with bright lights in your eyes. Finally I just couldn't help myself and dug in.

In spite of all the fun and good food, everyone in attendance is painfully aware there are families out there who are hungry and can't afford a meal. That's why helping Gleaners is so important. What Gleaners can do with a dollar to help feed hungry people is a near miracle. And because there are more people who need the assistance every day, those of us who can afford to prepare a meal and enjoy a dinner really have the obligation to help our fellow man.

So, thanks to all you who helped make another successful event to help in that endeavor. If you couldn't attend, you can still help. Contact Gleaners Community Food Bank to make a donation (no matter how small or large) and that steak you're having for dinner will taste so much better.

About Gleaners: Every dollar you donate provides three meals to a hungry person. Ninety-five percent of every dollar donated is spent on food distribution or food programs, and only 5 percent is spent on overhead. Donate online or call 866-GLEANER to make a gift by credit card over the phone.

To donate food: Visit the Donate Food page.

To see where Gleaners' food comes from, go to the Where We Get Our Food page.

Again, many thanks to all who have helped and continue to help.