Amateur Chefs Prepare to Cook Up a Feast Toward Ending Hunger & Homelessness Locally
by Jackie Brown
Monette and Zoot Velasco are participating in this year’s FIES fundrasier. Zoot as a chef and Monette as a singer.
Come and see what amateur chefs are cooking up for your enjoyment this year as the guys from the community stage the third annual Food-Loving Guy Raising Funds for Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Service. The event will be held at the Coyote Hills Golf Club, 1440 E. Bastanchury Road, in Fullerton Sunday, March 29, from 6 to 9pm. Call (714) 680-3691 for reservations. The chefs are volunteering their culinary expertise to help FIES end hunger and homelessness in our area. As a result, guests will be treated to tasty portions of appetizers, soups, salads, side dishes, entrees and desserts – all prepared by amateur chefs. And guests can participate in the judging along with the professional chefs.
A silent auction will be held, and entertainment will be provided by Monette Velasco, equity actress/singer and understudy for the role of Kim in the second national tour of “Miss Saigon.” She will sing her own special tribute to FIES. If you’re an amateur chef and have a dish that you’re proud to share, here’s a chance for you to showcase your talent and help Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Service reduce hunger and homelessness in North Orange County at the same time.
You can enter your favorite dish in one of four categories: Appetizers, Salad/Side Dish, Entrée or Dessert. Judges will award 1st place and runner-up prizes in each category. There will also be prizes for best thematic table decorations. If you’re ready to show off your culinary skills for a good cause, call Barb Jennings at 714-272-8861. For more information on the event call 714-680-3691. Several new chefs have already signed up this year. Among them are Zoot Velasco, executive director of the Muckenthaler Cultural Center (his wife Monette will entertain during the event). Another new chef will be Scott Larson, the executive director of HomeAid Orange County. HomeAid is the charity arm of the Building Industry Assoc. The group took the lead on building the newest home on FIES New Vista campus in partnership with Brookfield Homes. As a result FIES only had to raise about 20% of the total value of the new home. Chefs coming back this year include 2008 People’s Choice Award Winners – Jon Sanders, Ladd Roberts and Garrett Nichols along with professional judge favorites Capt. Greg Mayes and Police Chief Pat McKinley of the Fullerton Police Department, and Bill Jindra. Chefs who have announced their dishes are Ron Bambas, double lemon crusted chicken; Dennis Bode, smoked tri-tip barbecue; Mike Nichols and son Garrett Morgan Nichols, smokehouse BBQ; Bill Jennings and Gregg Nolan, entrée; Ray Murphy with “SPOT,” assorted trifles; Kenny Sackett, beans; Shrinidhi Iyegar, chips and salsa; Capt. Mayes and Chief McKinley, appetizer; Mike Land, meatballs; Bill Jindra, Scandinavian almond cake; Tommy Jordan with a scrumptious dessert; and Troy High senior Matt Castro with an appetizer. Chefs who haven’t decided on their dishes include Paul Broden, Ben and Mitch Darraacq, Kenny Sackett, George Montgomery, and Doug Strom.