Do you have what it takes to judge the ‘Hunger Games’?
Cheers go up from Soulfull Project, which won last year’s Hunger Games at the Food Bank of South Jersey. The group was mentored by Jake Deleon of Origin Almond Milk (blue shirt). Also pictured are from left: Chip Heim, Megan Shea, Lisa Schipsi, and Maria Gamble, with family and friends.
Do you have what it takes to judge the ‘Hunger Games’?
Are you a fan of reality cooking shows like “Chopped’’?
Do you feel you have what it takes to withstand the pressure and sauté and whisk your way to fame and glory and your own show?
Well, we can’t really help you with all that … but you may get to sit in the judge’s seat and use your culinary know-how to decide which team goes home with a “Hunger Games’’ trophy and bragging rights, and which teams leave with just the satisfaction of having helped the hungry.
The Food Bank of South Jersey hosts its annual Hunger Games competition on Wednesday, April 25 at the food bank in Pennsauken.
I am back again as a judge this year, along with restaurateur and chef George Kyrtatas of SweetWater Bar & Grill in Cinnaminson and “Next Food Network Star’’ Aaron McCargo Jr.
The Food Bank Hunger Games is a fun, rowdy, team-building challenge that has corporate teams of cooks whipping up the best dishes they can in 45 minutes. The twist? They get a mystery box of ingredients representative of what might be contained in a Food Bank donation box. If they want anything extra, their supporters in the audience have to buy it.
Proceeds of the event, open to the public, benefit the Food Bank’s hunger relief programs for children. Last year’s event raised more than $30,000 for its Summer Meals program, which provides breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks to kids every summer.
If you’d like to be the fourth judge, you can upload a video by April 23 to the Food Bank website at https://foodbanksj.wpengine.com/attend-an-event/hungergames/ (follow the instructions found there).
That’s also the link to buy tickets and root on the teams. The event is hosted by Bill Anderson of Fox 29 and includes a raffle and a small bites dessert tasting and contest.
Chef George, Chef Aaron, Bill and I all hope to see you there!