Willard Chapel, Auburn's own extremely rare example of the work of Louis C. Tiffany and Tiffany Glass and Decoration Co, will for the 10th time host the annual Amateur Chefs Night.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
Tom Hughes, an amateur chef and the Central New York Projects Manager for First Niagara Bank has participated in the Amateur Chefs Night since the first one. He intends on making a soup this year instead of a dessert that he has made in the last few years. Hughes poses with one of his Calphalon spoons at the First Niagara on Genesee Street, in Auburn.
Tom Hughes, an amateur chef and the Central New York Projects Manager for First Niagara Bank has participated in the Amateur Chefs Night since the first one. He intends on making a soup this year instead of a dessert that he has made in the last few years. Hughes poses with one of his Calphalon spoons at the First Niagara on Genesee Street, in Auburn.
Although the chefs may be labeled as amateurs, their food certainly doesn't taste that way, as attendees will experience such culinary delights as crab meat chardonnay by chef Louis Nocilly, pasta e fagioli by John DeMatteo, Jack Daniels meatballs by Kent Brandstetter and Joe Leogrande, amongst many other appetizers, starters, entrees and desserts.
Keeping the crowd grooving while chowing will be master of ceremonies Carey Eidel of the Auburn Public Theater.
There will be Finger Lakes wine selections from Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery.
Amateur Chefs Night is an annual benefit for Willard Chapel and a pet project of Auburn's Community Preservation Committee.
According to Willard Chapel's Mike Leone, the committee was first started as a way to make sure that the chapel wasn't stripped of its promise as a charitable institution.
The committee saved the chapel from the auction block and enabled future Auburnians to experience community events such as Amateur Chefs Night, year-long concert seasons, weddings and more. Maxine Alberici is the founder of the Community Preserevation Committee and co-chair of Amateur Chefs Night along with Leone.
Many other volunteers are involved in making events at the chapel go smoothly.
In addition to wine, food and company, the night will feature a silent auction. This year's feast will feature seven soups and appetizers, 24 entrees and 12 desserts.
The atmosphere amongst the chefs is one of camaraderie, according to Leone.
“It's a lot of the people who really know each other ... I get a sense of high school friends, a good community event. The money also goes to a good cause,” said Leone.
As a testament to the chefs' culinary versalitity are the names of some of the dishes.
Among guests' perrenial favorites are garlic pizza squares, bacon roll-ups, spicy meatballs, eggplant lasagna, enchiladas, barbecue pulled pork, lemon chicken and more.
Some items are named with a bit of humor and a lot of love, including Papa Tony's Spicy Tomato Soup and pigs in the blanket.
Other notable selections to fill the guests' home-cooked wishes are ranch chicken with swiss cheese and bacon, moussaka, a classic Greek recipe with eggplant, sweet potato quesadillas, sausage and peppers and onions.
For the sweeter side of life, maybe paired with a delightfully crisp wine, are such favorites as bananas foster bread pudding with rum raisin sauce, homemade pineapple whipped cream surprise, Italian cupcakes, Valentine's Day cream puffs and much more.
The existence of the Willard Chapel organization is a testament to the care that Auburn's citizens take in preserving the city's history.
Residents from all around the surrounding area flock in to the event as the amateur chefs as well as guests.
If you go
What: Amateur Chefs Night
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7
Where: Sacred Heart Parish Hall, 90 Melrose Road, Auburn
How much: $40
For details: Call 252-0339 to reserve seating
Keeping the crowd grooving while chowing will be master of ceremonies Carey Eidel of the Auburn Public Theater.
There will be Finger Lakes wine selections from Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery.
Amateur Chefs Night is an annual benefit for Willard Chapel and a pet project of Auburn's Community Preservation Committee.
According to Willard Chapel's Mike Leone, the committee was first started as a way to make sure that the chapel wasn't stripped of its promise as a charitable institution.
The committee saved the chapel from the auction block and enabled future Auburnians to experience community events such as Amateur Chefs Night, year-long concert seasons, weddings and more. Maxine Alberici is the founder of the Community Preserevation Committee and co-chair of Amateur Chefs Night along with Leone.
Many other volunteers are involved in making events at the chapel go smoothly.
In addition to wine, food and company, the night will feature a silent auction. This year's feast will feature seven soups and appetizers, 24 entrees and 12 desserts.
The atmosphere amongst the chefs is one of camaraderie, according to Leone.
“It's a lot of the people who really know each other ... I get a sense of high school friends, a good community event. The money also goes to a good cause,” said Leone.
As a testament to the chefs' culinary versalitity are the names of some of the dishes.
Among guests' perrenial favorites are garlic pizza squares, bacon roll-ups, spicy meatballs, eggplant lasagna, enchiladas, barbecue pulled pork, lemon chicken and more.
Some items are named with a bit of humor and a lot of love, including Papa Tony's Spicy Tomato Soup and pigs in the blanket.
Other notable selections to fill the guests' home-cooked wishes are ranch chicken with swiss cheese and bacon, moussaka, a classic Greek recipe with eggplant, sweet potato quesadillas, sausage and peppers and onions.
For the sweeter side of life, maybe paired with a delightfully crisp wine, are such favorites as bananas foster bread pudding with rum raisin sauce, homemade pineapple whipped cream surprise, Italian cupcakes, Valentine's Day cream puffs and much more.
The existence of the Willard Chapel organization is a testament to the care that Auburn's citizens take in preserving the city's history.
Residents from all around the surrounding area flock in to the event as the amateur chefs as well as guests.
If you go
What: Amateur Chefs Night
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7
Where: Sacred Heart Parish Hall, 90 Melrose Road, Auburn
How much: $40
For details: Call 252-0339 to reserve seating
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