6th Annual Man-O-Manischewitz LIVE Cook-Off

Yesterday, at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan (334 Amsterdam Avenue @76th Street, New York, NY), Manischewitz held the finals for this year’s LIVE Cook-Off.

The trophy presented to the winner...

Five finalists battled it out, cooking up their winning recipes from 12:15 to 1:15 pm:

• Jennifer Daskevich, from Los Angeles, CA – Crispy Chicken with Cherries
• Jacquie Serebranie Kessler, from Lexington, MA – Gnocchi
• Ronna Farley, from Rockville, MD – Chicken Puff Sandwiches
• Andrew Dorsch, Scotch Plains, NJ  Torte Vegetali
• Eric Silberman, Lincolnwood, IL – ‘Mod’ Matza Ball Soup

There were five judges with celebrity Chef Claire Robinson, from the Food Network, as the acting Host and Head Judge, the judges came from such diverse publications as Family Circle, Ladies’ Home Journal, Joy of Kosher, etc…

Jamie Geller, from Joy of Kosher, grading one of the contestants.

Each contestant walked up to the panel and explained what he or she made. Then the judges were served and each graded the dish according to various criteria as I did, when I was in the panel of judges at Kosherfest 2011.

Chicken Puff Sandwiches... ohh, the aroma!

I actually got to taste a Chicken Puff Sandwich, as Ms. Farley had made some extras. Wooow, was it good!

But the top honor went to none other than Eric Silberman, a 20 year old student at Princeton University in NJ, who won the grand prize for his ‘Mod’ Matza Ball Soup. Among his many talents he plays the oboe and piano, he enjoys creative writing and volunteering for various activities.

Eric Silberman, Grand Prize Winner, interviewed by New York's Channel 1...

He walked away with the trophy and $25,000.00. Not bad for a young student who loves what he does!

CS