Some of Tucson’s top chefs will take part in the inaugural Jewish Cook-Off and Food Festival on Sunday, Nov. 9, at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3482 E. River Road.
Sponsored by Congregation Or Chadash, the festivities start with a cook-off from 8 a.m. to noon, followed by the festival, which will have food for sale and entertainment through 5 p.m.
The cook-off is open to all amateurs and will be judged by local chefs and food celebrities. The 12 categories include brisket, stuffed cabbage, knishes, chopped liver, blintzes, kugel, rugelah and cheesecake.
For entry forms and rules, go to orchadash-tucson.org/Jewish Cookoff.html or call Congregation Or Chadash at 512-8500. The registration deadline is Nov. 6.
Some of the cook-off judges will have food for sale in the afternoon, said Diane Kerrihard, one of the organizers.
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For example, she said, pastry chef Marianne Banes of Kingfisher Bar & Grill/Bluefin Seafood Bistro is making her grandmother’s rugelah recipe, and Hacienda del Sol Resort’s Robyn Kessler is using her mom’s brisket recipe. Alan Zeman, the former owner of Fuego, will roast chicken.
Other restaurants offering tasting portions and/or full portions include Sabra Mediterranean Restaurant, L’Chaim Catering, Pastiche Modern Eatery, Elle Wine Country Restaurant, Motzi Nouvelle Patisserie, Shlomo & Vito’s New York Delicatessen, Zona 78, Jonathan’s Tucson Cork and Ristorante Italia.
There’ll also be kosher food and beverage vendors.
Entertainment includes a klezmer band, local rock bands, Israeli dancing, singing and the Catalina Foothills Steel Drum Band. A dmission is $2, but free for ages 11 and younger. Half the gate proceeds will go to the Community Food Bank.
