Marc Murphy of Ditch Plains Named Hottest Chef of 2006 in Fifth Annual Iron Skillet Cook Off Fundraiser

Media Contact: Keith Emmer • 212-920-9205 • press@worldcares.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
Marc Murphy of Ditch Plains Named Hottest Chef of 2006 in Fifth Annual Iron Skillet Cook Off
 
Fundraiser World Cares Center’s Event Raises over $100,000 for its Disaster Response and Resiliency Programs
 
 
NEW YORK (November 2, 2006) – Marc Murphy of Ditch Plains beat out four fellow pro chefs and five firefighters to win World Cares Center, Inc.’s (WCC’s) Fifth Annual Iron Skillet Cook Off held at Strata Restaurant on Monday, October 30. Strata was packed with patrons attending the star-studded competition that benefited WCC in its continuing effort to foster safe and effective disaster response and resiliency within communities worldwide. The Cook Off was emceed by WLTW Lite-FM DJ Valerie Smaldone and CW11 Weatherman Irv Gikovsky (“Mr. G.”)
 
Mr. Murphy’s delicious crab cakes recipe narrowly bested the “Pier 53 Crab Cakes with Poseidon Sauce” of firefighter Tom Sullivan of Marine Co. #1 (Manhattan), who took second place. Keith Devenish, Engine 315 (Queens) garnered third place for his Mediterranean Chicken with Herb Stuffed Tomatoes. All of the dishes were rated on presentation, table display, technical skills, taste and seasoning, team organization, originality and creativity, and utilization of ingredients.
 
“It was an honor for me and the other firefighters to participate in this event for World Cares Center, which has done so much for people in the worst of times,” Mr. Sullivan said.
 
The winners were decided by a panel of celebrity judges including, Tom Kaminski, WCBS 880 traffic reporter; Wendy “the Snapple Lady” Kaufman; Jim Kerr, Q104.3 radio personality; Sukanya Krishnan, CW11 News Anchor; Ann Liguori the WFAN Sports Whiz; Tony Lo Bianco, award-winning actor; Jared Lorenzen, NY Giants Quarterback; Shep Messing, former NY Cosmos player; Christine Nagy, WLTW Lite-FM radio personality; Rich Pagano, musician and music producer; Garrett Oliver, Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster; “Goumba” Johnny Sialiano, WKTU radio personality; Tom Westman, winner of CBS Survivor Palau; and the event emcees.
 
The other firefighters competing for hottest chef were: Carmine Ancona, Engine 247, Brooklyn; Joe Czyzewski, Engine 94, Bronx; and Andrew Enderes, Engine 168, Staten Island. The professionals participating along with Mr. Murphy were Brian Bistrong, Executive Chef, The Harrison; Christian Schwaiger, Chef, Sumile; Jacques Sorci, Executive Chef, 2 West at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park; and Greg Zapantis, Executive Chef, Thalassa.
 
The Iron Skillet Cook Off honored the ACE Foundation for its support of WCC’s Disaster Preparation & Trauma Mitigation (DPTM) program. Additional sponsors included: Clear Channel; Brooklyn Brewery; EMCOR; Stand-Up NY Comedy Club; Metronome; Railworks; Strata; Commerce Bank; Consolidated Carpet; Cutco; DMJM Harris; Eastern Millwork; FreshDirect; Garcia Marble & Tile; Haven; Heleco Decorating; Liberty Marble; London Fischer LLP; Lorina Beadscarves; MKG; Simply Chic; Sodexho; Turner; and the participating pro chefs’ restaurants.
 
“From our generous sponsors and celebrity judges to the fabulous chefs and firefighters, the Iron Skillet Cook Off truly represents the spirit of New Yorkers at their very best,” said Lisa Orloff, founder and executive director of WCC. “Our base of support here has allowed us to expand our programs internationally, and we look forward to another great event next year.”
 
To speak to Lisa Orloff or any of the participating firefighters, or for photographs of the event, please contact Keith Emmer at 212-920-9205 or press@worldcares.org. For recipes from the Iron Skillet Cook Off, please visit www.ironskilletcookoff.org.
 
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World Cares Center (“WCC”), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in New York City after the 9/11 attacks, works to foster safe and effective disaster response and resiliency in communities worldwide. To learn more about WCC, call 1-800-975-4281 or visit www.worldcares.org.