Chef Gale Gand joins Cook of the Week Challenge judging panel

Ted Brunson, ‘Brunson's Best'

Brunson has been a part of the Chicago media for more than 20 years. You probably recognize him as a former host of “Chicago's Best” on WGN-TV, where he featured local gems for four years. The show, which he also produced, earned him two Midwest Emmy Awards. Over the past year, he's been producing “Brunson's Best,” which is currently on YouTube and has been a contributor to several television and Internet outlets. In addition to the media, he is involved in the launching of new food products and has begun consulting. He is a regular on the festival scene as a judge and continues to support local eateries.

Keri Christopher, PepsiCo.

Christopher is the field marketing manager for PepsiCo, serving the Chicago, Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana markets. She graduated from Miami University with a degree in marketing. Before joining PepsiCo, she spent time with Kraft Foods where she was instrumental in launching DiGiorno Pizza. She also worked for WhiteWave Foods and MillerCoors. An avid home cook, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She stays active playing golf and running.

Chef Gale Gand, restaurateur and author

Gand is a nationally acclaimed pastry chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, television personality, teacher, entrepreneur and mother. She has been recognized as Outstanding Pastry Chef of the Year by The James Beard Foundation and by Bon Appetite magazine and recently was inducted into the Chicago Chefs Hall of Fame. Her latest restaurant project, Spritz Burger, is a collaboration with The Hearty Boys, (Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh), opened in Chicago in February and her latest book, “Lunch!”, hit shelves in April.

Penny Kazmier

Kazmier, a wife and mother of four living in South Barrington, won the Daily Herald's inaugural Cook of the Week Challenge in 2011. Fearless in the kitchen, she's tackled everything from homemade sweet potato pasta to foie gras. She never passes up an opportunity to try new foods or learn more about cooking. For the last three years she has shared stories and recipes with Daily Herald readers through her Culinary Adventures column.

Joyce Mongello, Whole Foods Market

Mongello is the catering specialist at Whole Foods Market in Schaumburg and recalls how her childhood tea parties turned into extravagant full-service events. She attended Columbia College in Chicago and worked in customer service management before joining Whole Foods Market when the Schaumburg store opened in May 2010. She caters events like corporate meetings, showers, dinner parties and weddings for four people to 900 people.