Hadassah’s Almost Chopped Stirs the Pot Again

Hadassah Greater Atlanta recently cooked up another great culinary competition at Spring Hall in Atlanta for its second edition “Almost Chopped.” Proceeds benefit Hadassah’s neurological research to help combat ALS, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s diseases. Chairs of the event were GHA’s Barbara Lang and Marni Hoffman.

A large crowd watched as four teams of chef-testants (non-professional contestants who like to cook) competed in two timed rounds of cooking (appetizer and entrée) where baskets filled with identical mystery ingredients were used to make amazing cuisine.

No longer a mystery now, the ingredients for appetizer were Swiss rolls, brie, artichoke hearts and potato chips, and for entrée, salmon, apricots, Everything Bagel and bloody mary mix.

Photo by Judy Kuniansky // Team Haimish Old Dudes: Chef Jody Pollack, runner Eva Serotta and sous chef Alex Schulman

The teams were: Haimish Old Dudes representing Alzheimer’s; Humble and Fierce representing Multiple Sclerosis; The Knife Guys representing ALS; and defending champions Samantha Lives Next Door, representing Parkinson’s.

As observers watched the action in person and on screen, smiling and enthusiastic MC Tom Sullivan, well-known Atlanta radio and TV personality and professional master of ceremonies, did a fabulous job of keeping everyone laughing and engaged, encouraging the crowd to vote for and donate to the causes of their favorite teams during the proceedings.

Celebrity chef judges Mimmo Alboumeh, Red Pepper Taqueria; Jesse Kaufman, Ten Bistro; Jenny Levison, Souper Jenny; and Suzanne Vizethann, Buttermilk Kitchen, taste-tested delicious creations, presenting them with a tough challenge in choosing the winner.

Photo by Judy Kuniansky // Judges: Mimmo Alboumeh, Jesse Kaufman, Jenny Levison and Suzanne Vizethann with emcee Tom Sullivan.

The judges based their decision on the criteria of texture, presentation and creative use of ingredients. Although it was a close call, the winning team, “Samantha Lives Next Door,” successfully defended its title.

Barbara –Marni: Almost Chopped event chairs Barbara Lang and Marni Hoffman

While the competitors tempted the palates of the judges with their creations, sushi from High Roller Sushi, desserts from Seasons 52 and Edible Arrangements, plus beer, wine, and soft drinks, all donated, tempted the taste buds of attendees.

There were raffle prizes galore, also all donated, many from leading Atlanta restaurants. Congrats to Katie Kloder for snagging the grand prize, a $1,200 gift package to the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.

For more information about HGA, please visit www.hadassah.org/atlanta.