Family Promise Wins Iron Chef Competition

Lycoming Center Presbyterian Church team The kitchen, the Fellowship Hall, and the hallways at St. Mark's were full of activity on Sunday March 17 as the 5th Annual Iron Chef Williamsport event was in full operation. More than 30 persons were involved as staff for the event and 108 persons were guests for the meal that was served in Fellowship Hall from the steam tables in Middle Lounge.

The entertainment for the evening was a cooking contest that took place in our church kitchen. The challengers from Lycoming Center Presbyterian Church, led by Pr. Jerry Fourroux, tried valiantly, but did not
overcome our home team of Pr. Elkin, Kathy Eshelman, and Todd Smith.

The winning menu was a “Grand Tour of the Mediterranean” featuring Veal and Manchego Roll with balsamic reduction glaze, Edamame Hummus and Greek Barley Salad.

The one-hour contest of cooking skill was projected to the large screen in Fellowship Hall and also made available online. The full hour of the contest has been archived and can still be watched by going to www.ustream.tv/recorded/30061870 on your home computer.

The audience The purpose of all of the exciting activity was to raise funds and friends for Family Promise of Lycoming County, our local affiliate for aiding homeless families. Through dinner guests and patrons of the event, we raised more than $5,000 for the cause and raised the consciousness of many persons regarding the problem and how we can be of assistance.

Mike Caschera returned as our master of ceremonies this year and we added a “roving reporter” (or rabble rouser) in the audience! Bernadette Jones was able to talk to and with guests by means of a second camera and special electronic switcher obtained with the aid of Keith Wood of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

The judges What a staff we have! Our youth plus four from Lycoming Center were the servers for the meal, with Sara Jones as head waiter. They competed with each other in “Tips for A Promise” to raise additional funds for Family Promise from the guests at their assigned table. The winner this year was Josh from Lycoming Center, who received a special gift as thanks for his diligent work. Evan Barone collected the most of St. Mark’s youth. All of the youth did very well throughout the evening.

The waiters Working right behind them was the kitchen cooking and plating staff, led by Bob Jones and Nicole Walz, respectively.

Our guests enjoyed a wonderful meal of tomato bisque, sliced tenderloin of beef with Cabernet sauce, southern style green beans, and smashed sour cream & chive potatoes, with a chocolate indulgence for dessert.

Lou DeSeau did a yeoman’s job leading the set-up and clean-up for the event! We received wonderful assistance from old friends, Carlos Saldivia and the crew at First Contact; Ed Ploy of PC Handyman; Williamsport Country Club’s Nicole Walz, Logan Hinkley and Angela Hess; Peter Zerbe; M&T Bank; and Mike Cashera, who did a bang-up job of keeping everyone informed and entertained.

We are truly blessed with the members of our congregation who give so freely of themselves, with our church leaders who support us in our endeavors, with our friends who assist in many areas, with our guests, and with our patrons and sponsors. We thank God that all their efforts joined to provide a generous donation for Family Promise of Lycoming County.

Special thanks to everyone who supported the event through the purchase of a dinner ticket and our patrons for the event:

Restaurateur ($180 and more)

Phillip & Barbara Thomas
Ruth U. Pile
The Rev. Kenneth & Donna Zierdt Elkin
Grace & Tom Arner

Haute cuisine ($100--$174)

Life Celebration by MANEVAL
Kevin Novotny, director
Becky Miller Pryor
Harold & Joyce Hershberger
Jackie Kinney
Edwin J Krejci, DMD, PC

Cordon bleu ($50-$99)

Anonymous
Ruth Lamade
Charles & Hallie Luppert
Neil & Kathy Eshelman
Thomas & Marilyn Frazier
Gary & Shelby Weber
Dr. Ted & Jane Larson
Gary Chrisman
Dorothy Gerring
Dennis & Deborah Leonard

A la carte ($1-$49)

Carol Confer
Mel & Mindy Wentzel
John & Ruth Burkholder
Barbara Doebler
Todd Smith
Ralph & Lou Ann Zeigler
Rev. Mark & Susan Mahserjian-Smith
Deb & Jim Buckman
Children of St. Mark’s

Special thanks also for services rendered or equipment loaned/donated:

First Contact Productions
M&T Bank
PC Handyman
Roger’s Uniforms
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

For a replay of the competition: www.ustream.tv/recorded/30061870