Lets Talk About Food Competition!

If there is one thing I LOVE to talk about it's food.  I mean, I started a blog so that Nick and the dogs didn't get too sick of me talking about food all the time! So when I was contacted by a group called Let's Talk About Food, I was hooked. The goal of Let's Talk About Food is to start a food revolution by simply talking about it. Since then, the group has become a citywide umbrella organization that presents educational events in partnership with all sorts of organizations and non-profits.

The Winning Dish! Officer Matt Brown's Ginger Glazed Salmon 

I was recently invited to help judge a qualifying round for the "Men and Women in Blue Cooking Competition," whose final rounds takes place tomorrow on Copley Plaza. As a tribute to the first-responders from this past April's Marathon events, Let's Talk About Food arranged for a friendly cooking competition between the safety officials from Boston, Cambridge and Watertown. There were 3 to 5 cooks from each of the towns that would participate in the qualifying cook-off and present their dishes to a panel of judges (me!). 

Officer Stephen Bikofsky's Chicken Picatta 

The qualifying rounds took place on September 22nd at the Boston Center for Adult Education. I was on the panel to judge the Cambridge police. There were 5 contestants in the round - three of them were coached by Will Gilson of Puritan and Company and the other two were coached by Steve "Nookie" Postal, who will be opening Commonwealth soon!

Officer Louis Cherubino's Fra Diavolo

It was obvious from the moment I arrived that these Officers were not messing around. The kitchens smelled amazing! They had some pretty complicated dishes coming our way, and I knew instantly that this judging was going to be hard. Luckily I wasn't alone: I had Jacki, Hayley, and Laura to help.

Officer Chris Ahern's Steak Tips with an Orange Marinade, Asparagus, and Squash

It was so hard to judge these dishes. Each one tasted so good - seriously, I would have any of them come into my kitchen and cook for me!  The salmon, which was the winning dish, not only tasted amazing but also looked amazing on the plate. This fish was delicious, especially considering that Officer Brown never practiced the recipe before!

Officer Billy Phillips' Back Trio with Scallops, Haddock and Shrimp

Officer Brown will take on the winners of the Watertown and Boston qualifying rounds on the main stage in Copley Square tomorrow at 4:45. If the officers I judged are any indication, this will be an intense competition. Definitely stop by for a great day and support these fantastic chefs and this great cause!