(PRESS RELEASE) On Sunday, December 8 Leadership Prince William and the Prince William Chamber of Commerce hosted their 4th Annual Gourmet Guys Give Back amateur cooking competition at Linton Hall School in Bristow.
Over 200 adults and children came through the doors, including Santa Claus himself.
Guests sampled dishes and voted for their favorites to identify the Peoplesâ Choice winners. Judgesâ Awards were given by professionals in the food service industry: Eric Pollard, Executive Chef at Novant Health UVA Health System Prince William Medical Center; Charles Gilliam, Owner of Okraâs Cajun Creole; Gina Michak, Owner of âFrom Ginaâs Kitchen;â Kumar Iyer, Owner of Rangoli Restaurant and Shawn Terry of Smokinâ Shawnâs BBQ. Gourmet Guys Give Back featured a visit from Santa Claus, childrenâs activities by ImagiNation Learning Centers, and live music by local singer-songwriter Greg Dodson.
And the winners areâŠ.
Judgesâ Awards:
BEST APPETIZER:
Larb Sliders by Xiao-Yin Byrom, Owner of Tangâs Alterations, Bridal & Bespoke;
BEST SOUP/CHILI (and winner of the Judgesâ Top Prize):
Thai Fusion Soup by Xiao-Yin Byrom;
BEST SALAD/SIDE DISH:
Minted Cucumber Salad by Xiao-Yin Byrom;
BEST MAIN DISH:
The Royal Masala by Shan Lateef, a student in Prince William County Public Schools and a past graduate of the Leadership Prince William Summer Youth Academy;
BEST GRILL ITEM:
Smoked Beef Brisket by Brian Sipes of the Prince William County Service Authority; a member of the Leadership Prince William Class of 2020;
BEST DESSERT:
Chocolate Ăclair Cake by Aaron Tolson, Development Director at ACTS and a 2018 graduate of Leadership Prince William.
Peopleâs Choice Awards:
BEST APPETIZER:
Triangles of Heaven (samosas) by Shan Lateef;
BEST SOUP/CHILI:
Papa Dâs Lobster Bisque by Dave Merli;
BEST SALAD/SIDE DISH:
Minted Cucumber Salad by Xiao-Yin Byrom;
BEST MAIN DISH:
The Royal Masala by Shan Lateef;
BEST DESSERT:
Chocolate Ăclair Cake by Aaron Tolson.
FAN FAVORITE:
Smoked Beef Brisket by Brian Sipes of the Prince William County Service Authority. Brianâs brisket received 94 total votes, making it a run-away for the top prize.
Sponsors for Gourmet Guys Give Back included Employment Enterprises, Inc; Novant Health UVA Health System;
Linton Hall School; The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia; ImagiNation Early Childhood Learning Center;
Prince William Living, Whatâs Up Prince William; Mike Garcia Construction; Tangâs Bridal, Alterations & Bespoke; FVCbank; Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center; the Prince William Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and FreshySites.
Proceeds from Gourmet Guys Give Back benefit the programs and activities of Leadership Prince William and the Prince William Chamber of Commerce two community organizations nurturing local leadership, and supporting the business and not-for-profit communities of greater Prince William County and Manassas.
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