by Kristi Cancellieri, SchoolPower VP of Public Relations
Laguna Beach’s four principals served up a fun-filled night of food and competition at SchoolPower’s Lumberyard Chef Challenge IV earlier this month. The dueling-menu fundraiser netted over $10,500 as the team of LBHS Principal Joanne Culverhouse and Thurston Middle School Principal Jenny Salberg narrowly defeated the team of El Morro Principal Chris Duddy and Top of the World Principal Ron LaMotte.
The sold-out event gave 150 school supporters the opportunity to indulge in and then cast votes for their favorite of two competing meals selected by the dueling principal teams and masterfully prepared by Lumberyard Chef Armando Ortega. The team format was a new twist this year, giving the elementary principals a chance to get in on the lively competition.
After the winning pair was crowned champs, they ran a victory lap around the restaurant high-fiving the appreciative diners. The perks of coming out on top will continue for Culverhouse and Salberg as Duddy and LaMotte will be their “personal assistants” for a day. The losing team received a pack of pens, a notebook and a clipboard in preparation for the job.
More than $40,000 has been raised for Laguna Beach schools over the course of the four Chef Challenges thanks to the generosity and hospitality of Lumberyard owners Cary and Suzanne Redfearn.
