A new line-up of competitors took up the Chef Challenge for a Schoolpower fundraiser at the Lumberyard restaurant, which raised $8,000 to benefit the local public schools, an announcement says.
This year, the competition pitted Fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse and Police Chief Laura Farinella against school district Superintendent Jason Viloria and top administrator Jeff Dixon. In another twist, Taylor Pillsbury and Chris Clark, two SchoolPower leaders, jumped behind the bar and started the night’s competition off with dueling cocktails.
In previous years, school principals paired off against one another.
Diners cast votes for their favorite entrées from the menus selected by each team and prepared by the restaurant’s chefs. This year, the Schools team received the most votes and was awarded the coveted spatula trophy and “crowned” champions, the announcement says.
LaTendresse vowed, “watch out for next year!”
The event is the brainchild of restaurant owners Cary and Suzanne Redfearn.
