Special Events

Heavy Medal Culinary Challenge

By Myra Richman

On Monday, April 7, 2008, Chef Beau MacMillan and Chef Mark Tarbell took to
their skillets to be matched in Arizona's first, exclusive Iron Chef America
Ultimate Competition--a culinary competition to benefit Arizona's Careers
through Culinary Arts (C-CAP).

One of the more elegant food fights of our time, elements at The Sanctuary
Resort provided the breathtaking view, beginning on the patio with
appetizers and sparkling wine. Celebrities were announced, chefs were
introduced and the competition began.

Deciding which chef would win the Heavy Medal title were judges: AZ Cardinal
Larry Fitzgerald, Debbie Gaby of Sleep America and Alice Cooper. The chefs
had spent the last few weeks getting in shape for this fight.

Tara Hitchcock, Channel 3, refereed the event the while guests ate to their
heart's content, with dinner prepared by the Chefs.

C-CAP is a non-profit organization that provides skill training to teachers
and scholarships to graduating high school students who compete to continue
their culinary education. C-CAP graduates work in many Valley restaurants,
around Arizona and the country!

On Monday, March 29th, C-CAP awarded almost $430,000 in scholarships to 29
graduating seniors to continue their culinary education. These students have
an opportunity to develop skills and make a contribution to Arizona’s
hospitality industry.

Who knows? One of them may become the next Beau MacMillan or Mark Tarbell.