Brotherly Love: Chefs Compete In MANNA Guac-Off
By Ukee Washington
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- You've heard of a chili cook-off, but how about a guac-off? As in, a guacamole contest? This weekend's competition will pitch chef against chef for a good cause.
The whole idea started with some young supporters of MANNA, the Philadelphia organization that makes meals for people with life-threatening illnesses. They gave us a taste of the upcoming competition.
There will be scooping, "smooshing," spices, and of course, there will be snacking. It's all part of MANNA's first-ever guacamole contest. They're calling it the "Guac-Off."
"We were trying to find a way to fund MANNA," said Katelyn Baron, of MANNA. "We decided on guacamole because it's more of a fun, summery, delicious snack."
Chef Adan Trinidad knows his guacamole. He's the head chef at Jose Pistola's Restaurant on South 15th Street in Philadelphia.
"My guacamole is very simple. It's just smashed avocados with tomatoes, fresh herbs, salt and pepper and lime juice," Trinidad said. "The fact that I'm from Mexico, we take it very seriously."
Allison Flam is prepared for battle, too. So what if she's only eight years old? She has her secret weapon: "Penzeys Spices Adobo."
MANNA's executive chef Keith Lucas makes a mean guacamole himself. But this time around, he'll serve as one of the judges deciding who takes the guacamole trophy home.
"I loved it!" Lucas said. "I've never heard of a guacamole contest. Never been in one, surely never judged one."
Ticket buyers will get to sample all the guacamole. Chips included. "And also we're going to have a people's choice award, so everyone who tries the guacamole will have a chance to decide who their favorite is," Baron added.
Whoever wins, MANNA also wins.
The MANNA Guac-Off is Sunday, June 23, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catharine Street, Philadelphia. Tickets are available for $20 each.
For more info, visit: www.mannapa.org/mannas-first-annual-guac-off-competition
