YMCA Charity Auction & Top Chef Competition

by Jaimie Jusczyk, Marketing Specialist

Executive Chef Scott Jones along with Chef John Riccelli from the Celery Stick Café accepted the challenge at the YMCA Charity Auction to compete in the Top Chef Competition on April 16th, along with three other top restaurants in Concord, The Barely House, Granite Restaurant, and O’s Steak & Seafood.

Chef John and Chef Scott ready to serve the guests.

Chef Scott was serving a fresh sushi grade yellowfin tuna tartare complimented with avocado & lemon ginger dashi gel, topped with wasabi cream on a wanton crisp. This bold choice was beautifully presented on layers of glass with a bouquet and seashells. It was easy to just pick the whole serving up and pop it in your mouth to enjoy the Asian inspired textures and flavors.
As the guests enjoyed the chef’s creations they also sipped samples of wines, beers, & cider, while placing bids on silent auction items and also participating in live auctions to benefit the Concord YMCA. To vote for their favorite restaurant, the guests placed tulips into bowls on the tables which were tallied up at the end of the evening.

Chef Scott's beautiful presentation of fresh Yellowfun Tuna Tartare.

After hearing raving reviews about the tuna tartare and beautiful presentation of his table, Chef Scott from the Celery Stick Café was announced as the winner of the Top Chef competition.  Congratulations Chef Scott, we are proud to have you as the Executive Chef in the Celery Stick Café and look forward to trying your latest culinary creations.

Counting the tulips before announcing the Concord Food Co-op as the winner!

 Come on in to the Concord Food Co-op and taste for yourself the fresh and all-natural selections made daily on the hot bar, deli, olive bar, and bakery. If you have any questions our chefs are always happy to answer them.
Our World Cuisine Tour on the hot bar is also being extended to include a US Regional Cuisine Tour to bring our Celery Stick Café chefs home, Thursday through May 29th – June 19th. Stamps can still be collected to redeem for Free Co-op Event Tickets in your Co-op Passport. For full details come into the Co-op on Thursday’s from 10:30 am – 7 pm to talk with our “Customs Officer” who will have Free Co-op Passports so you can join in the fun or click here.