AURELIUS - Local politicians weren't making political decisions Saturday morning.
Instead, they were choosing the first Finger Lakes Iron Chef during a three-hour cooking competition.
The Child Care Council of the Finger Lakes held its first Iron Chef competition fundraiser at The Fingerlakes Mall.
Local politicians, including former Auburn Mayor Guy Cosentino, Seneca Falls Mayor Diane Smith, Interim City Manager Michael Long and Assemblyman Gary Finch, judged the cooking done by members of regional media organizations.
Anthony Adornato and Megan Coleman from Syracuse's Channel 3 WSTM news competed against the Finger Lakes Times' Anne Schuhle and Mike Maslanik for the opportunity to be named Finger Lakes Iron Chef.
“The media is cooking and the politicians are judging, this could be interesting,” said Cindy Smith, fundraiser coordinator. “I'm not sure if any of the participants cook.”
Although the event was free to watch, the council sold raffle tickets for prizes and charged low prices for children to participate in a variety of activities including face painting, games and craft-making. All the money the council raised will be used for the council's educational program, Smith said.
If enough money is raised, the council will create a scholarship for adults going back to school who may need additional funding for child care, Smith said.
The two teams were free to cook whatever they wanted in three different categories - appetizer, entree and dessert - but had to use peanut butter and jelly, the competition's secret ingredient.
But Adornato and Coleman were not expecting the required ingredients.
The entree the two had planned would not go well with peanut butter and jelly, but Adornato said they would try to incorporate it.
“I think we'll have everything except the taste,” Coleman said. “I don't cook. So hopefully the lack in taste will make up in our presentation.”
When asked if Cosentino was a good cook, he replied, “ I'm a good eater. I'll try anything.”
Judges ranked each dish on a 10-point scale in four different categories including taste, presentation, use of the secret ingredient and originality.
After trying a mixture of curry and peanut butter and jelly, Finch said with a laugh, “It's a banquet of flavors.”
The room of competition viewers, volunteers, contestants and judges laughed as the judges commented on each dish. The master of ceremonies for the competition noted with a smile that Finch would be the most difficult critic.
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net
The Child Care Council of the Finger Lakes held its first Iron Chef competition fundraiser at The Fingerlakes Mall.
Local politicians, including former Auburn Mayor Guy Cosentino, Seneca Falls Mayor Diane Smith, Interim City Manager Michael Long and Assemblyman Gary Finch, judged the cooking done by members of regional media organizations.
Anthony Adornato and Megan Coleman from Syracuse's Channel 3 WSTM news competed against the Finger Lakes Times' Anne Schuhle and Mike Maslanik for the opportunity to be named Finger Lakes Iron Chef.
“The media is cooking and the politicians are judging, this could be interesting,” said Cindy Smith, fundraiser coordinator. “I'm not sure if any of the participants cook.”
Although the event was free to watch, the council sold raffle tickets for prizes and charged low prices for children to participate in a variety of activities including face painting, games and craft-making. All the money the council raised will be used for the council's educational program, Smith said.
If enough money is raised, the council will create a scholarship for adults going back to school who may need additional funding for child care, Smith said.
The two teams were free to cook whatever they wanted in three different categories - appetizer, entree and dessert - but had to use peanut butter and jelly, the competition's secret ingredient.
But Adornato and Coleman were not expecting the required ingredients.
The entree the two had planned would not go well with peanut butter and jelly, but Adornato said they would try to incorporate it.
“I think we'll have everything except the taste,” Coleman said. “I don't cook. So hopefully the lack in taste will make up in our presentation.”
When asked if Cosentino was a good cook, he replied, “ I'm a good eater. I'll try anything.”
Judges ranked each dish on a 10-point scale in four different categories including taste, presentation, use of the secret ingredient and originality.
After trying a mixture of curry and peanut butter and jelly, Finch said with a laugh, “It's a banquet of flavors.”
The room of competition viewers, volunteers, contestants and judges laughed as the judges commented on each dish. The master of ceremonies for the competition noted with a smile that Finch would be the most difficult critic.
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.