Brainfood Grill-Off Features DC Top Chefs

Brainfood, a nonprofit that uses cooking to teach life skills and healthy living to DC youths, announced today that its annual Brainfood Grill-Off competition will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2009 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at the Decatur House in Washington, DC.
Advised by Brainfood program graduates and top local chefs — including Teddy Folkman, a finalist on The Next Food Network Star — teams of amateur chefs compete to be the Grill-Off champion.
Several chefs nominated for the 2009 RAMMY Rising Culinary Star award are also participating, including Cedric Maupillier, Central Michel Richard; Daniel Giusti, 1789; Shannon Overmiller, The Majestic; and Tony Chittum, Vermilion.
“The Brainfood Grill-Off was inspired by a competition that caps off the graduation celebration for every Brainfood after-school and summer program,” said Paul Dahm, executive director of Brainfood. “This is an opportunity to bring the Brainfood experience to the local DC community, while raising vital funding for our programs. Brainfood plays a critical community role by providing a safe and healthy environment in which young people can learn, grow and have fun. But programs like ours require a constant resupply of food, which makes cooking on a budget a daily reality.”
Competing Grill-Off teams have one hour to create two original dishes from a surprise pantry of fresh ingredients. Dishes are judged by a panel of foodies, including Clarice Dionot, L'Academie de Cuisine; Amanda McClements, Metrocurean.com; Mark Michael, Occasions Catering; and Mark Kuller, Proof. During the competition, event attendees will enjoy food, wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, open bar, and a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind experiences.
Thanks to the generosity of Reznick Group, the law firm of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker and other sponsors, 100 percent of ticket sales will support Brainfood programs. The purchase of a pair of tickets will cover the cost of food supplies for one participant for the entire summer program. Tickets are $75 and are available online at www.brain-food.org.