© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Celebrity Chefs in Cook-off Competition for Kearney Center

Tom Flanigan

Collegetown’s Garden at Township was the site for a celebrity chef cook-off on Tuesday, Nov. 14.  The event was a fundraiser for Tallahassee’s Kearney Center for the Homeless.

Madison Social co-owner Matt Thompson was confident of his culinary skills.

“Got a plan for everything. I’m good to go,” he said as he prepared an offering for the judges.

Local TV and marketing personality Ann Howard, wasn't quite as cocky.

“My son and my boyfriend look at me when I’ve made a good meal. The look of shock on their faces is everything," she laughed.

PR consultant Jon Brown had Chopped Champion Chef Shac as his assistant. But the prize ultimately went to Bow Stern President Tom Derzypolski.

“I was nervous enough this morning. I think I’m just gonna retire my cooking career on top,” he said with a mix of elation and relief.

The Kearney Center’s Bill Schack said the event raised more than $5,000.

“We’ve got to cook 800-900 meals a day, so that money is really helpful,” he said.

Three Kearney Center clients served as cook-off judges.

Follow @flanigan_tom

Tom Flanigan has been with WFSU News since 2006, focusing on covering local personalities, issues, and organizations. He began his broadcast career more than 30 years before that and covered news for several radio stations in Florida, Texas, and his home state of Maryland.

Find complete bio, contact info, and more stories. here.