Foodies stretch culinary muscles at local venues

By Terry Oparka
C & G Staff Writer

Amateurs and pros alike enjoy testing their culinary mettle at a variety of contests throughout metro Detroit year-round with dishes as diverse as Sexy Chili and All American Apple Pie for every palette and epicurean niche.

This past November, Carol Reno of Grosse Pointe Farms entered the C & G Newspapers Holiday Recipe Contest and won first place in the appetizer category with Irresistible Scallops with Spectacular Sauce. 

Reno, a home economics major in college, said she took every cooking class she could. She’s also belonged to a cooking club for the past 19 years and has compiled a number of recipes. “I’m a food addict,” she said.

Sue Coppens, business manager for Emerald City Harbor, which sponsored the Nautical Mile Chili Cook-off at Blossom Heath Inn in St. Clair Shores Jan. 28, said that the annual Nautical Mile Chili Cook-off sparks competitive spirits.

“We get a lot of men who enter, and they are really proud of their chili,” she said.

More than 300 people sampled over 30 different chilies at this year’s event. The proceeds benefited the Michigan Special Olympics.

A team of eight to 10 judges ranks the chili recipes based on taste and texture. Entries included David Martin’s Sexy Chili, and Karen and Derk Brown’s Pot of Gold chili.

“It’s a fun winter night,” she said.

This past fall, the Arts and Apples Pie and Dessert Contest branched out from strictly apple pies to a broader range of apple desserts. The Arts and Apples Festival featured more than 250 juried artists and was held in Rochester Sept. 11-13.

“We had apple pizza this year,” said Ellen Hughes, marketing director for the Paint Creek Center for the Arts, which sponsored the festival.

The baking contest, in its third year, averages between 15 and 20 entries. Local dignitaries, including Lindsey Tycholiz, Miss Michigan 2009, and Kristen Danyai, Miss Teen Michigan 2009, judged the apple creations.

“The entrants really enjoy putting their special baking expertise out there,” Hughes said. “It’s a cool part of the festival and a lot of people come back each year.”

For the past 18 years, Troy-area restaurateurs bring their best to the Taste of Troy, held to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Troy. This year’s National City Taste of Troy will be held March 7 at the San Marino Club in Troy with a Mardi Gras theme. 

“It’s a casual competition among restaurants, but they take it seriously,” said Cindy Stewart, chair of the event. Between 30 and 35 restaurants usually participate.

The food is judged in two categories: Critic’s Choice and People’s Choice.

“We ask newspaper, magazine, TV and radio reporters to serve as judges for the Critic’s Choice category to lend credibility to the contest,” Stewart said.

Last year, the dishes were judged for best appetizer/soup/salad, entrée, casual entrée and best dessert/beverage.  Approximately 750 people attended last year’s event.

“The food isn’t just judged by taste,” Stewart said. “It’s a themed event and they tailor the food to the theme.” She added that judges also rate the friendliness of the serving staff.

She noted that the Critic’s Choice and People’s Choice results do not always match up.

For example, last year the beef tenderloin at Ruth’s Chris Steak House won for best entrée in People’s Choice, and the chicken piccata from Loccino Italian Grill won for best entrée in Critic’s Choice.

“It’s great food,” Stewart said of the event.

For more information about the National City Taste of Troy, call the Boys & Girls Club of Troy at (248) 689-1687 or go online at www.bgctroy.org.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Terry Oparka at toparka@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1054.