Albany and Saratoga are well known as area hotspots fine dining. Soon, one city will reign supreme after a friendly competition in the First Annual Chef Challenge. Proceeds from the event will support Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Capital Region.
Organizers are hopeful that holding the event in Saratoga Springs will give Big Brothers Big Sisters more of a presence in Saratoga County. The event also gives the group a chance to explore a different kind of fundraiser, in addition to their popular galas and Bowl for Kids’ Sake.
Chefs A.J. Jaypal of The Brown Derby Restaurant in Albany and John Ireland of Panza’s Restaurant in Saratoga will display their culinary skills on Thursday, May 10, at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Saratoga Springs at 25 Lake Ave. from 6 to 9 p.m. General reservations are $50 per person and$100 per person for honorary committee reservations. The winning chef will be awarded a silver spatula.
“It’s a really exciting, fresh new idea, it’s definitely not your typical gala,” said Sabrina Houser, chief executive officer for Big Brothers Big Sisters. The idea originated with Board of Directors member Jay Goodman and has been in the works for about a year.
Big Brothers Big Sisters connects youths facing adversity from ages 6 to 16 with adult mentors in their communities. Around 98 percent of the children connected with the organization come from single parent households or a family where one parent is incarcerated. The highest need is in finding matches for boys. About 40 percent of matches are made in Albany County and 20 percent each are made in Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties.
“A Big (mentor) provides honestly just a positive adult friend in a child’s life. … By having a Big, these children are 75 percent more likely to get a four year degree as opposed to without having a mentor,” said Houser.
Kids with mentors are also more likely to avoid delinquency and substance abuse, she added.
Last year over 500 matches were made in the Capital Region and it is expected that number will grow to more than 600 by the end of this year. The cost is $200 to support one match for one year.
Event planner for Big Brothers Big Sisters Jami Thompson expects the event to draw between 150 and 200 guests. The hotel can accommodate 190.
“The response has been great … it’s really important to us that the community is aware that Saratoga County does have children in need of mentors and support,” said Thompson.
Over 50 matches were made in Saratoga County last year and the organization would like to make more.
Guests of the event will also be voting in the People’s Choice Award for their favorite restaurant. Samplings of dishes from several eateries will be ready for the voting. A chef from the winning restaurant will be slated to compete against this year’s Chef Challenge winner next year.
Judges for the challenge are Steve Barnes of the Times Union, John Sconzo of Slow Food Saratoga Region and Jasper Alexander of Hattie’s Restaurant in Saratoga.
The chefs will have to wait until the day of the challenge to find out what they’ll be cooking, but they will be able to bring three stock items of their choosing. Similar to the show “Iron Chef,” the competition will focus on one main ingredient and chefs will have one hour to make an appetizer, entrée and dessert.
Both Jaypal and Ireland are recognized within the network of area chefs as being at the top of the culinary scene and for participating in events that benefit local organizations.
“When Big Brothers Big Sisters called me I said, ‘Let’s do it, it’s for fun and friendship and it’s for a good cause,’” said Jaypal.
He also suggested that organizers tap into the Saratoga Farmers Market, which is across the street from where the challenge will take place.
“It’s also a chance to educate about local food,” said Jaypal.
“The challenge is for a good cause, and a good thing for everyone. … This will be an amazing competition and it’ll be rewarding and a lot of fun,” said Ireland.
Ireland and Jaypal also offered up tips for home cooks.
“Keep things simple and don’t overthink it, cooking is about intuition,” said Ireland.
Jaypal said, “Always plan out your menu before you cook and cook with the seasons.”
For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters or the Chef Challenge, log on to bbbs.org.
