Cook of the Week Challenge winner: Bill Hicks with monkfish scallops
Bill Hicks, who joked that his goal was “to incorporate butter, cream and bacon” into his dish, won the Daily Herald's fifth annual Cook of the Week Challenge Monday night at the Westin Chicago Northwest in Itasca.
“I knew the taste was good, but I wasn't confident about the presentation. I think taste is what matters most,” said Hicks, 70, of Carpentersville, who beat out three other finalists and took home prizes that included a new Bosch dishwasher and dinner for six at the Seasons 52 chefs table. “As Julia Child said, butter makes everything better.”
More than 500 people came out to watch the Cook of the Week Challenge finale — the biggest crowd in the challenge's history. The event featured food, a bar, a banquet hall full of local vendors handing out free samples, raffles, goody bags and more. But the main event was the live cook-off between Hicks and fellow finalists Maria Bass of Mount Prospect, Kim Bradley of Glen Ellyn and Chelsea La Valle of Deer Park
Using the four mystery ingredients — monkfish, walnuts, Great Northern beans, and skhug, a spicy Middle Eastern sauce — the contestants had one hour to create their winning dish.
Hicks prepared monkfish scallops poached in butter on a bed of beans, peppers and onions sauteed in bacon with a skhug cream sauce. On the side, he made a mixed green salad with toasted walnuts and pear and citrus vinaigrette dressing.
“Great use of flavors,” one of the judges raved.
While all of the contestants had family and friends in the crowd, fans of Bradley, a reading specialist at Arbor View School in Glen Ellyn, carried signs that said things like “Kim Has the Recipe for Success.”
“We're just thrilled that she made it this far,” said her co-worker, Missy Klarick of Glen Ellyn. “She's such a good cook ... and she's such a good person. She's a winner no matter what.”
Monday night marked the end of a tight contest that began with 16 local chefs and 40 recipes.
Using their mystery ingredients, a full pantry, a cook station and a helper to make their winning dish, they were judged on taste, presentation and best use of secret ingredients.
Judges were Brian Emmett, 2013 winner of CBS' “The American Baking Competition” and author of “Get Your Bake On”; Chef Mario Rizzotti, “Iron Chef America” judge and food personality; Mike Burton, general manager of the Westin Chicago Northwest; Jimmy Nicolau, director of Midwest sales at Grecian Delight Foods; Mario Portanova, director of Porte Brown LLC; and Jamie Andrade, the 2014 Cook of the Week Challenge Winner.
People who attended the event said they enjoyed both the food and the competition.
“Everyone's friendly, you meet a lot of people, and the food's good,” said Jackie Bridges of Bensenville, who was attending the event for the second year.
Main stage cooking demonstrations were given by Rizzotti, Emmett, Chef Massimo Gaffo from Ala Carte Entertainment, and Mark Eckert, executive chef of the Westin. Food and beverage samples were provided by Toasty Cheese, Grecian Delight, Village Tavern, Ala Carte Entertainment and more.
The emcee was Chef Paul Guerrero, culinary director of Cooking Skills Academy in Itasca.
Karen Brookwell-Miller of Palatine has come to the competition for the past five years because, being a foodie herself, she likes to watch the finalists cook under pressure.
“I walk by and give them encouragement,” she said. “I admire that they're given ingredients, and they come up with something. And I admire that they've made it this far.”
A portion of each ticket was donated to the Northern Illinois Food Bank, something attendee Pragna Patel of Palatine appreciated.
“It's nice that this event is hosted in the suburbs,” Patel said.