NEWS RELEASE

Chef Dean Evans wins the Top Chef Challenge with his combination of pan seared sea scallops, key lime butter blanc, curried butternut squash puree, rice noodle pancake, and Asian vegetable slaw.

The Challenge Finale was held on March 10 at Quail Valley River Club in Vero Beach.

Guests tasted and voted on four different entrées not being told ahead of time which chef prepared which entrée until the winner was announced.   The guests cast their votes based on taste, presentation and creativity.

The event featured the four chef finalists:  Chef Travis Beckett of Chive and Wild Thyme Catering; Chef Chris Bireley of Osceola Bistro; Chef Dean Evans of Oak Harbor Club; and Chefs Fernando Pons and Garbriel Gil  of Agape Café.

The dessert finalist, Chef Timothy Blouin of Grand Harbor Beach Club wowed the guests with his award winning dessert: orange blossom honey and dark chocolate robuchon tart, Swiss chocolate almond ice cream, raspberry red wine fluid gel, topped with a gorgeous chocolate butterfly.

Chef Joe Faria of Quail Valley Club did an outstanding job as Chef Coordinator for this year’s event.

Sponsors include George E. Warren Corporation, Republic National Distributing Company, Vero Beach Magazine, Marine Bank Trust and Company, Como Oil and Propane, Girard Equipment, Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc,,  Rossway Moore Swan, Seacoast National Bank, Bank United, Jon Pine Photography, and the Official Dining Guide of Vero Beach.

Gordon Food Service generously provided the food to the Chefs.

Event co-chairs were Erin M. Clinton and Whitney Randolph.   Committee members included: Amy Harwick, Angela Morgan, Diane Aldridge, Gloria Cutting, Janet Murray, Joe Chiarella, and Kim Hooker

The Homeless Family Center is a partner agency of the United Ways of Indian River and St. Lucie Counties, Indian River County Children’s Services Advisory Committee.

To learn more about the center, please call 772-567-5537; stop by for a “Wednesday Walk” tour every Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m.  Please like us on Facebook.