Celebrity Chef Challenge

April 2008 - Immediate Release

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The incredible Michael Burgess of Le Miz and Phantom of the Opera fame, serenaded a sold out crowd at the Mississaugua Golf & Country Club at the 2nd annual Celebrity Chef Challenge.

This year’s event doubled last year’s proceeds as a cheque for $45,000 was presented to Victim Services of Peel (VSOP) by Brian Paul, chair of the CCC, and president of Mississauga-based Trophy Foods.

Dianne Morgan; manager of resource development for VSOP, was thrilled with the turnout, and said that “100 per cent of all proceeds will go directly to helping victims of crime and tragedy right here in Peel.”

Winner of the 2008 Chef Challenge People’s Choice Award for the most popular food stop, was Executive Chef Adrian Vogt owner of Trident Catering with his very special crabcakes dish.

“The event was beautifully done, a great success and the venue was uncomparable,” said Rosanne Longo, who’s company stepped forward for the second straight year as title sponsor.

VSOP is located in the Peel Police building on Derry Road in Mississauga, and a large contingent of officers along with the honour guard, piper and the piping in of special guests.

Other major sponsors included: Alan Boughton President of Trailcon, The Mississauga News, Proactive Print, Pallett Vallo LLP, Go2Resources, Peel Regional Police; Cindy McGoldrick, Rogers Cable 10 and All Gold Imports.

Restaurants taking part in the event were: Lucy’s Seafood Kitchen, Hip Restaurants, Tikki Tikka, Fanzorellis, Longo’s Executive Chef, Mississaugua Golf & Country Club, Pearson Convention Centre, Trident Catering, Chef Jono, McCullagh Coffee, Organic Oven, Steam Whistle Brewery, Barefoot Wines and Dirty Martini Restaurant & Bar.

There were other participants from the general public, including Barbara Underhill, Ron Lenyk, Jake Dheer, Ted Woloshyn, Francis D’Sousa, Steve Mahoney, Katie Mahoney, Ron Starr, Jan Courtin and Ron Duquette.

The working committee for this year’s event included Brian Paul, Rick Drennan, Amy Tjen, Lorry Smith, Rosanne Longo, John Inglis, Sue Ryan, Mike Stephenson, Pat Hammill, Rob Shearer, Gay Longo, Lorene Deveau, Len Favreau, Lianne Campbell Riz Omar, Linda Rossi and Joy Moyles.

Burgess performed three songs for the crowd, and was joined on stage by Mississauga's Michael Ciufo, for a stirring duet.

For a look at photos from this year's event click here.
Next year's event will also be held in the first week of April, 2009.