Captured Event

September, 24 2007 - Culinary Classic

What: 23rd annual Culinary Classic

Where: Holiday Inn Select

When: Sept. 24, 2007

Beneficiary: ACF Student Scholarship Fund

Master of Ceremonies: WAFB-TV's Paul Gates

Committee Members: Yvette Bonanno, board chairwoman; Chef Michael Travasos, treasurer; Sean Kirby, secretary; Chef James Window, sergeant at arms; Chef Don Bergeron; Chef Jean French; Sara Liberta; Margie Larson; and Brenda Lollar

President(s): Chef Ron Sonnier

Welcome: Chef Ron Sonnier

Libations: Glazer's Companies of LA

Entertainment: Singer William Efferson

Sponsors: Capitol City Produce, Colony Spices, Community Coffee, Conco Foodservice, Doerle Foodservice, Chef John Folse & Co., Holiday Inn Select, Kleinpeter Dairy; PFG Caro Foods, SYSCO Foodservice and U.S. Foodservice.

Florist: Fred Heroman's

Blacktie Photos by: Pam Bordelon

Best of Show winner Chef William Wells
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Two Baton Rouge chefs captured the top prizes at the 23rd annual Culinary Classic Sept. 24 at the Holiday Inn Select. William Wells of Culinary Productions was tapped as Best of Show for his Dixie Duck with Bing Cherry Bang Bang Sauce. Michael Dardenne with Holiday Inn Select took home the People's Choice award for his Sweet Corn & Jumbo Lump Crab Velouté.

Other winners included:
* Soups: Ernest Prejean of Prejean's Restaurant in Lafayette, gold; David Scott Varnedoe of Varnedoe's at The Myrtles in St. Francisville, silver; and Darrell Harris of Culinary Productions, bronze
* Salads: Jonathan Mantrovadi of Don Bergeron Enterprises, gold; Brian Berry of Sodexho @ the University of Louisiana Lafayette, silver; and Melvin Guevara of Holly Tree Country Club in Tyler, Texas, bronze
* Veggies: Jude Tauzin of Catahoula's in Grand Coteau, gold; Brian Smith of Randol's in Lafayette, silver; Calvin Cormier of Prejean's, bronze
*  Breads: Eric Sibley of Varnedoe's, gold; Jacqueline Espinoza of Island View Casino in Gulfport, Miss., silver; and John Farrow of Four Seasons Catering in Shreveport, bronze
*  Pork/lamb/game: Martin Klier of the Baton Rouge Country Club, gold; David Crabtree of Island View Casino; and Tauzin, bronze
* Beef/veal: Ernest Prejean of Prejean's, gold; Sibley, silver; Berry, bronze
* Poultry: Wells, gold; Varnedoe, silver; Berry, bronze
* Seafood: Calvin Cormier of Prejean's, gold; Harris, silver; Varnedoe, bronze
* Louisiana Nouvelle: Barry, gold; Varnedoe, silver; Wells, bronze
* Desserts: Reynold Landry of Opelousas General Health System, gold; Terryl Jackson of Prejean's, silver; Scott Dardenne of Holiday Inn Select, bronze

Winning the $1,000 scholarships were student competitors Amber Grogan, Robert Harrison and Anna McClesky.