Get Thee To The First Annual Brainfood Grill-Off
Sure, we told you about this last week, but we're telling you again because we are persistent and like helping local kids. We happen to think you should, too.
Get your taste buds ready for the first annual Brainfood Grill-Off. This Iron Chef-like event will have teams, consisting of local chefs and Brainfood students, competing for the “Brainfood Skillet Award.” Marc Silverstein, of The Food Network’s The Best Of series, will be hosting the event as the Master of Ceremonies. Local restaurants participating include Zaytinya, Cafe Atlantico, Zola, Jaleo, Butterfield 9, Matchbox, Equinox, Clyde's, Ruth's Chris, and Indigo Landing, and the judging panel will consist of local chefs, food writers (unfortunately not us), restaurant owners, and Brainfood students.
Photo from BurntPixel.
Here’s the scenario: Each team will be made up of community members, a professional chef from one of the above mentioned restaurants, and a Brainfood student. The chef will act as a "supervisor" while most of the food is prepared by the student. They will be given a “surprise” pantry of ingredients and one hour to create a culinary masterpiece. The dishes will be judged--hopefully not with the same scrutiny as the Iron Chef panel--and the winners will claim the “Brainfood Skillet.” So what’s in it for you? Well for just $75 you can enjoy the event as well as dinner, open bar, entertainment all while supporting a fantastically delicious cause.
At this point we know you’re probably wonder “What exactly is this Brainfood you speak of?” Brainfood is a D.C. based non-profit organization that focuses on youth development. Through food and cooking they strive to provide tools to teach life skills and healthy living to teenagers in a safe and positive environment. They have many after-school and summer programs that focus on everything from basic knife and cooking skills to regional cuisine to baking and even some creative food writing courses. Their home has been in Columbia Heights for several years now and they have recently added a location in Chinatown.
The event will be held at Hotel Monaco on June 28th from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the organization's website. We feel this is a great opportunity to not only enjoy some healthy competition but to support the next generation of foodies!