Top Chef cook-off revived at St. Charles Borromeo  

The St. Charles Borromeo Men’s Club is now registering teams for its March 22 Top Chef Cook-off, according to Brandon Hebert, president of the club.

The SCB men’s club will host the cook-off from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the front parking lot of St. Charles Borromeo’s Catholic Church in Destrehan. The registration fee for four-member teams is $150. Teams can register online or email Hebert at scbmensclub1@gmail.com.

Unlike other jambalaya or crawfish cooking competitions, the Top Chef lets teams decide which dish to prepare. Tickets to the event are $10. Children 10 and under are free, Hebert said.

“We think the Top Chef cook-off gives attendees more variety of food options and allows for the cooks to make dishes that they excel at,” he said.

Attendees of the event will cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award, and the teams will also compete for first and second place from a panel of judges.

Hebert said the event will also include inflatable bounce houses, music, soft drinks, and beer and seltzer available for purchase.

Hebert said the SCB men’s club has not hosted the cook-off for over ten years.

“The SCB Men’s club saw a revival of sorts from a group of guys who had spent many years doing the same thing as we aim to accomplish,” he said. “In talking with one of the former founders, Nick Sardegna, one of their best events was a Top Chef cook-off, where teams from around the parish came together to cook their best dish and bring the people of the parish together for a big community event.”

He said the club is a group of men within the St. Charles Borromeo Parish that want to give back to the church and school through community events, fundraising and fellowship.

“Our main focus is to provide an avenue for the fathers and grandfathers in the community to take a more active role as leaders of their families and their faith,” he said.

He said he is looking forward to the men of the parish working together in a fun event that brings the families of our community closer together.

“While we hope to raise money for the parish, our main objective is to have an event that brings people together to enjoy each other’s company and some good food,” he said. “Any proceeds from the event will be going toward church and school programs in making sure they have everything they need to continue to be successful.”