NEW: Rhode Islander Takes $10K Grand Prize in Hood Cook-Off
Monday, October 22, 2012
Four times a charm for Mary Jo Fletcher LaRocco, whose dessert took the $10,000 grand prize at this weekend's Hood New England Dairy Cook-Off.
“I have been competing in the Cook-Off since it started four years ago and have been vying for the Grand Prize ever since, “ said Mary Jo Fletcher LaRocco. “I have always loved to cook and create new recipes for my family and friends and am so excited I finally won the $10,000.”
Recipes full of passion
“As always, the Cook-Off was an exciting and fun event and we enjoyed meeting all of the semifinalists and their supporters. They put such passion into their recipes and it really showed,” said Lynne Bohan, Vice President of Public Relations, HP Hood. “The recipes gave our judges a challenge in selecting a winner but ultimately, Mary Jo Fletcher LaRocco recipe best met all of the judging criteria. The Cranberry Limoncello Tarts were a great combination of creativity and amazing presentation.”
The competition began at 7:30 a.m. when 30 semifinalists competed in their individual categories. The five categories were: breakfast/brunch, soups/chowders, appetizers/side dishes, lunch/dinner (entrée) and dessert. One amateur chef from each New England state competed in each category. Competitors had 60 minutes to prepare and plate their dishes. All recipes were original and included at least one Hood dairy product and were judged based on taste appeal, presentation/appearance, and creativity/originality.
The finalists
By 6:30 p.m., a panel of judges helped narrow the field from 30 semifinalists to five finalists. They were:
Breakfast/Brunch: Jean Dziedzinski of Chelmsford, MA – Late Summer Layered Crustless Quiche
Soups/Chowders: Kevin Towle of Gonic, NH – Heaven & Hell Chowder
Appetizers/Side Dishes: Forrest White of Williston, VT – Acorn Squash’n’Blossom Fritter with Vichyssoise Shooter
Lunch/Dinner (Entrée): William Gillard of Damariscotta, ME – Ocean Bounty Creamery
Dessert: Mary Jo Fletcher LaRocco of North Kingston, RI – Cranberry Limóncello Tarts in a Gingersnap Hazelnut Crust
The finals
Billy Costa from the New England Cable News show “TV Diner” hosted the event as the finalists went head-to-head in front of a live audience for the $10,000 grand prize. Shaw’s Supermarket was once again the Official Supermarket of the event.
The final round judges included Celebrity Chef Michele Ragussis; Chef Branden J. Lewis, Instructor, Johnson & Wales University College of Culinary Arts; Peggy Poole, Vice President of Quality Systems and Regulatory Affairs, HP Hood; Cindy Salvato, Chef and founder of Savoring Rhode Island culinary walking tours; and David Dadekian, Eat, Drink RI.
Each of the semi-finalists received a prize of $100; each of the finalists, except for the winner, received $500.
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