by Carole Anne Scott

As I interviewed the chefs taking part in the Eleventh Annual Sacred Heart Cook Off, it occurred to me that this year’s function had turned into a uniquely family affair. Many of the contestants were related to each other, while several of those trying their luck at pleasing the crowd’s culinary tastebuds seemed to be using their Mom’s prized recipes!

For example, Enza Hart was serving up her Bacon Quiche while her Mom, Concetta Cucinotta was dishing up Minnie Pizza Appetizers. Another mother-daughter competition was between Mary Hanafin and Mary Hourihan who both entered the dessert category. Wendy John and her sister Tammy Scott both entered the contest in the Brunch Category. Hopefully, there is no sibling rivalry between them as Wendy took first-prize for her Chicken Stir Fry with Noodles.

Throwing any trace of rivalry to the wind, the “Yurrita Family” banded together to enter their Sweet Potato and Zucchini Bread and Sweet and Sour Chicken in the Morning Delights category. It paid off as the latter took home third prize.

Even City Councilor Rob Consalvo, a perennial good sport who enters the Cook Off each year and annually proves that he really can cook, was using his mother’s recipe for what he affectionately referred to as “Italian Shepherd’s Pie.” Though not a prize-winning entry, it was a winner among those sampling it.

The Grand Prize was awarded to Mary Sacramona for Mini Cookie Cheesecakes, another treasured family recipe. For more times than anyone could remember, Charles McCarthy once again won the People’s Choice Award, this time for “Charlie’s Pasta Bolognese,” an entrée that he had enjoyed so much when dining at a local Village restaurant that he went home to concoct his own version of it from ingredients that he guessed. It was quite impressive!

Those in attendance were again treated to music provided free-of-charge by DJ Glenn Williams of It’s All About Arts and Roslindale Village Main Street. Participants entered a transformed Sacred Heart Parish Hall, one made lovely by sharp sparkling white linens on all the tables and especially by the festive balloon centerpieces, donated by Cookie and Stephanie Mourkakis of This ‘N That Florist of Roslindale. They were also greeted by an ice sculpture, enterprisingly created by the event’s chairperson, “Heart Beats” own Terry Curran who as usual, submitted a couple of her own recipes for all to enjoy.

Making a return appearance to the Sacred Heart stage was Norm Thibeault, a DJ from Oldies 103.3. Serving as master of ceremonies for the second year in a row, Norm kept the audience entertained, assisted with the calling of the many raffle prizes, and informed everyone as to the latest happenings at the Cook Off.

And the winners were: In the Morning Delights category, as mentioned above, Wendy John took first for her Chicken Stir Fry with Noodles and second went to the Yurrita Family for their Sweet & Sour Chicken. Third place was awarded to Gina Peraccchi for Candied Sweet Potatoes, and fourth to Tammy Scott for her Pineapple Banana Loaf.

In the Funky Foods category, first prize went to Ann Herman for her Asparagus Appetizers. Cook Off Committee Co-chair, Kamini Williams took second place for Kamini’s Sweet ‘n Spicy Sausage and Onions. Gurda Saint Franc’s Griots Creol came in third, while Angela Hylton won fourth for her Superbowl Wing Dings.

It was a warm night for soup, but the entries in the Ladle It Up category were so tasty that people were lined up in front of the chefs for a sampling. Janice McCarty took first for her Grane’s Corn Chowder. Second was awarded to Joe Falcione for his Minestrone Soup. Debbie Abichaker’s “Deluctable Fish Chowda” came in third and fourth place went to Cheryl Damata for her namesake Cheryl’s Escarole Soup.

The category called Put’n on the Ritz provided contestants with a real chance to dress up their selections with an impressive presentation. Elegance was omnipresent in these entries which featured everything from fine china and crystal goblets to orchid accents around the food and vases with cut-flowers flowers, all intended to set the proper ambiance. The entrees both looked and tasted delicious, making judging difficult. First prize was won by Angela Hylton for her Calypso Rice with Brown Sugar Ham. Second went to Tom Peters for his Paella which featured lobster in among its other seafood ingredients. Third went to Charles McCarthy for the Charlie’s Pasta Bolognese, which as mentioned above, also was the People’s Choice winner. Cheryl Damata took home the fourth place for My Chicken Bernaise.

No meal is complete without dessert and so the Happy Endings category was a particularly popular one. First went to Mary Hanafin for Banana Split Cake. Kelly McKenna took second for her Chocolate Eclairs. Janice McCarty’s Stained Glass Torte came in third making her a repeat winner for the evening. Fourth was captured by Mary Pothier for her Yogurt Pie.

For a modest additional fee, Cook Off participants could sample various flavors of jello shots. Amy Oalican was the winner in that category for her almost lethal concoction. Committee members Terry Curran and Karen Wright tied for second place.

Boston’s First Lady, Angela Menino, again graciously agreed to serve as one of the judges at the event. She seemed to be the only one on a political roster, not counting Jayme Bonds from the quasi-political Boston Housing Authority. Actual credentialed chefs were also among the judges and included Ida Gambale of Ida’s Kitchen, and Super Cook Off contestant, Karen Wright. The power of the press was brought to bear in the contest too as “Heart Beats” helper Ed Freeley, along with Kathleen Benjamin and David Harris of “Transcript Newspapers,” also served as judges.

Practically every civic organization was represented among the official taste-testers, who included Roslindale IPOD Committee’s Kathleen Benjamin, the Domestic Violence Task Force’s Antonia Chronis, Julie Connors of the Parkway Running Club, William Jennings of Healthy Roslindale Coalition, Lisa Modecker of the Roslindale Board of Trade, Julianne Natale of the Sons of Italy, John Mahony and Mimi Turchinetz of SouthWest Boston CDC, and Ann Walker of Ethos. Sacred Heart School was represented by school secretary Karen Cavanaugh who was a judge for the event.

Also among the judges were prominent members of the local business community, including Dave Balerna of Midway Café in Jamaica Plain, Terry Fitzgerald, Linda Pisano and Karyn Stewart, all of Centre Cuts Salon and Day Spa, Mike Flynn and Brendan Higgins, both of Higgins Funeral Home, Marilyn LaRosa of LaRosa Real Estate, Judie Leon, proprietor of Travel by Judie, Doug McClure and Steve Morris, both of Re/Max Affiliates, and Luke Moran of the ever-supportive The Cooperative Bank.

Again this year, thanks go to our magnanimous MJ’s Subs & Pizza for donating delicious appetizers and entrees served buffet-style at the beginning of the event and to the ever-generous Roche Brothers Supermarket for donating bottled water, along with cheese and mediterranean plates, arranged by Home and School volunteers. In addition to his judge’s hat, Dave Balerna also generously donated the bar for the evening.

This year’s Cook Off was a resounding success thanks to the Committee, led by Maria De Sario, Kamini Williams and Terry Curran, which included former parents, Cathy Slade, Ann Marie Gillespie and Karen Wright. The evening left completley stuffed participants smiling and ready to sign up for next year’s food festival at Cook Off XII.