FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – Residents at Applewood, a continuing care retirement community in Freehold Township, competed head-to-head in a Food Network-style “Chopped” competition over a period of several weeks.
The event challenged seniors to create their own custom recipes, based upon an eclectic assortment of “mystery basket” ingredients of avocados, Peruvian potatoes, chicken breasts and fennel, according to a press release.
At the “Chopped” finale, a packed house of residents, competitors and staff members convened to hear Applewood’s executive chefs critique each of the team’s entries. Contestants’ entries were judged on use of all required ingredients, creativity and documentation of culinary technique.
The six-chef team of Pat O’Brien, Jean Luiken-Golden, Jean Glass, Ellen Meriney, Gloria Schiller and Betty McKennon made it to the winner’s circle with their original menu of chicken rollatini, Applewood avocado salad and slow-roasted vegetables, according to the press release.
“I was fortunate to be part of a talented team of cooks, some with 50 years of experience. I had no idea what to do with the fennel, but others knew exactly how to use it,” Luiken-Golden said.
“When you are a senior, you don’t have as many opportunities to be competitive, so this was really a ball for us,” Meriney said. “Everyone loves food and it’s fun to compete as a group.”
Each champion received an inscribed crystal trophy, a Culinary Institute of Applewood chef hat and apron, and a personalized certificate of culinary excellence.
The community is expanding its culinary programmatic offerings by introducing a “Culinary Passport” which will track resident event participation and qualify them for culinary diplomas and raffle prizes, according to the press release.