Kiss-Off Cancer Cook-Off

Kiss-Off Cancer Cook-Off Educates
and Delights Diners

Rossland chefs and community cooks alike rose to the challenge in the first annual Kiss-Off Cancer Cook-Off, held on Sunday, May 1. Hungry guests and Prevent Cancer Now, a national organization aimed at eliminating the preventable causes of cancer, were the beneficiaries in the town’s biggest and healthiest gourmet pot-luck dinner.

Four celebrity chefs from The Gypsy at Red, Drift Izakaya, The Flying Steamshovel and Gabriella’s (Goldtown Dining at the Prestige Inn) wowed diners and the judges with their dishes, crammed with anti-cancer ingredients. Mike Brandt, Rossland native and chef-owner of the Gypsy at Red, took away top honours for his meal, featuring a vegetable samosa appetizer, garam masala-rubbed salmon and halibut “Napolean”, and a yummy dessert of peanut butter nougat topped with a dark chocolate ganache served with fresh berries. The Gypsy also captured the hearts (and stomachs) of guests, receiving the Consumer’s Choice Award for all three courses.

Individual dishes were also recognized by the judges. Best appetizer was awarded to Gabriella for her salmon and arugula pizza. Best main course went to Tyler Handy from Drift Izakaya for his fresh herb-crusted salmon, served with beet salad topped with spinach walnut pesto. The Gypsy at Red took top honours for the peanut butter nougat dessert mentioned above.

Community cooks entered their anti-cancer dishes in a competition voted on by guests. Jon Turner won the appetizer category for his “Vegetable Sliders”. Anne-Marie Sterpin took away the best main course award, with her Capetown Fruit and Vegetable Currie. Kimberley Pegg’s chocolate-covered strawberries were a hot item among guests and won the best dessert award.

A panel of judges took their job of reviewing each of the Celebrity Chef’s dishes and their cancer-preventive ingredients very seriously. According to judge Dawn Manning of Bear Country Kitchens, “The dishes were creative and delicious, as well as healthy, so we had a very tough job – never mind the tight waistbands when we finished!” Other judges were Jill Austin, food preparation instructor at Rossland Secondary School; Jon Turner, a Red-Seal Cordon Bleu chef and Chris Orr, of Kootenay Coop in Nelson.

The 70 guests who attended the Kiss-Off Cancer Cook-Off also left the event satisfied and raving over the excellent food and prizes. Many said they are looking forward to next year’s event.

Prevent Cancer Now (PCN) organizers were very impressed with the support from the community and local businesses. The restaurants donated hundreds of dollars in time and ingredients. Century 21 underwrote many of the expenses, and Kootenay Coop and Endless Harvest donated baskets of organic products. Dozens of local businesses and artists contributed prizes and items for the silent auction. Keeping expenses low meant the event netted about $4000 towards cancer prevention projects in the West Kootenays and beyond.

Further information: Diana Daghofer, 250-362-5810 or Diana@preventcancernow.ca.

About Michael Brandt, Chef-Owner, The Gypsy at Red

Mike Brandt, known to his friends as “Brandster” was born in Rossland, BC on August 7, 1978. He graduated from Rossland Secondary School and went right into cooking at the Uplander Hotel where he quickly moved up to sous-chef of the Louis Blue Dining Room. There he was able to showcase his natural cooking and artistic talents. Mike has a strong artistic background and it shows in his food and presentation on the plate. He was soon offered an apprenticeship and obtained his “red seal” in 2003. He then became the Head Chef of the Louis Blue Dining Room and over saw all aspects of the kitchen. Eventually, Mike went to work for Geoff Hampson at the Mountain Gypsy, then Gypsy at Red and eventually moved up to Head Chef. In 2008 Mike, along with his partner Cyndi Webster, bought the Gypsy at Red. His high standards for food, delicious unique flavours and great customer service brings satisfied customers coming back for more.

We would like to thank our sponsors:

KBS Radio
Century 21
Betty Go Hard
Kootenay Co-op: Natural – Organic Foods and Products
Endless Harvest – Organic Food Delivery
Fisherman’s Market Seafood and Deli

We would like to thank our participating restaurants:

Gabriella’s Restaurants
Gypsy at Red
Flying Steamshovel
Drift Isakaya

We would like to thank our prize donors:

Alpine Grind
Bear Country Kitchens
Betty Go-Hard
Blow UP Hair Salon
Café Books
Clansey’s
Delicious baby
Doell photo
Estique Aesthetics Studio
Ferraro
Idgies
JC Griffiths
Jelly Bean Junction
Jenny Baillie, Artist
Joanne Cremer, Artist
Julie McDermott, Artist
Kerry Turner, Yoga instructor
Kootenay Nordic Sports
Little Red Sweet Shoppe
Lonnie’s Lingerie
Main Stage Gallery
Mary-Ellen Black, Preserves
Mountain Life
Mountain Nugget Chocolate Company
Nature’s Den Health Store
Powderhound
Prestige Hotels and Resorts
Out of the Cellar
Red Mountain Ventures
Redstone Resort
Revolution Cycles
RHC Insurance
Ross Vegas
Rossland Pro Hardware
Shine Hair Salon
Shoppers Drug Mart
Stephanie Gauvin, Artist
Tails Pet Supplies
The Essential Body
The Garage Restaurant
The Red Pair
Trillium Gifts
Wellspring Home Inspection

RESOURCE: How to plan your own Kiss-Off Cancer Cook-Off

Kiss-Off Cancer Cook-Off