Images: Daily Herald Cook of the Week Finale

  Dan Rich of Elgin kisses the spoon he was awarded after being announced the winner of the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday. Lori Motyka of West Chicago, middle, and Christine Murphy of Palatine are two of his three fellow contestants in the competition.

  Dan Rich of Elgin is the winner of the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Dan Rich of Elgin hugs Daily Herald Food Editor Deb Pankey after being announced the winner of the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Christine Murphy of Palatine prepares her dish during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Lori Motyka of West Chicago presents her dish to the judges during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Judges Patrick Beach and Suzy Singh taste a dish during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Lori Wiktorek of Aurora talks about her dish with Daily Herald Food Editor Deb Pankey during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Daily Herald Food Editor Deb Pankey, top left, confers with the judges during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Lori Motyka of West Chicago, second from left, claps her hands after being announced the runner-up during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday. With her on stage are fellow contestants Dan Rich, Christine Murphy and Lori Wiktorek.

  Dish prepared by Christine Murphy of Palatine during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Dan Rich of Elgin tells Daily Herald Food Editor Deb Pankey about his dish during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Contestants Christine Murphy, left, and Lori Motyka select items from the pantry during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Members of the audience watch the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Chicken being prepared in a cast iron skillet by winner Dan Rich of Elgin during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Judges wait to view and taste the first dish during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Lori Motyka of West Chicago carries her dish to present to the judges during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Completed dish by Dan Rich of Elgin, during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Lori Motyka of West Chicago turns her chicken during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Plated dish prepared by Lori Wiktorek of Aurora during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Christine Murphy of Palatine cooks during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Lori Wiktorek of Aurora removes her chicken from the pan the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Plated dish prepared by Lori Motyka of West Chicago during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Contestants Lori Wiktorek and Dan Rich select items from the pantry during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Christine Murphy of Palatine shows judges her dish during the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.

  Lori Wiktorek of Aurora prepares her dish the Daily Herald Cook of the Week Cookoff finals, held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Wednesday.