chef-black-web.jpgWEST PALM BEACH — The ballroom will heat up when the second annual battle of the country club chefs is hosted by last year’s winner, Boca West Country Club, as the chefs go knife-to-knife in the Iron Chef-style competition in which each chef will create a signature dish using the same main ingredient.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the much-needed patient care programs of Hospice of Palm Beach County, said Greg Leach, president of the Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation, who added that last year’s event was a smash hit as great chefs competed for top honors and bragging rights.

“I commend each one of our attendees, chefs, judges, sponsors, chairs, committee members, volunteers and our host, Boca West Country Club.  As we all come together for an evening of food inspiration, we are helping our neighbors in their time of greatest need.”

The not-for-profit 501(c) (3) Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Spectrum Health, Inc. and its subsidiaries, is dedicated to raising funds to support the unfunded patient programs and services offered by Hospice of Palm Beach County which are not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. A panel of celebrity judges will determine the winner, who will have the opportunity to host next year’s event. 

Guests at the Jan. 31 fundraiser will get to sample each of the chef’s creations, sip savory cocktails, sway to cool jazz and bid on wonderful silent auction prizes throughout the evening.

The competing chefs are: four-time James Beard Award nominee Zach Bell of Addison Reserve Country Club; Joe Longo of Broken Sound Country Club; Stephen Viggiano of St. Andrews Country Club; and Bart Messing of Woodfield Country Club. 

The panel of experts judging their creations includes: renowned chef and author Norman Van Aken, director of Restaurants, Miami Culinary Institute; Stephanie Miskew, The Glamorous Gourmet; Virginia Philip, master sommelier, The Breakers Palm Beach and owner of Virginia Philip Wine Shop & Academy; and Marie Speed, Group Editor, JES Publishing, Boca Raton Magazine.

This year, Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation will expand to two events – a North County edition in Jupiter and the South County edition in Boca Raton. “Don’t miss the excitement as these great chefs compete for top honors and bragging rights,” Leach said in inviting the public to participate.

For more information call 561-494-6888 or visit hpbcf.org