Raleigh, NC -- (SBWire) -- 02/17/2011 -- Mary Freeman, president and CEO of Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities (http://www.tammylynncenter.org), announces the restaurant competition judges for the 26th annual A Toast to the Triangle™ (http://www.toast2011.org) The event will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at N.C. State University’s McKimmon Center in Raleigh.
A Toast to the Triangle offers guests samples from nearly 40 of the Triangle’s finest restaurants, caterers and purveyors of fine wines and specialty beers. Participants have the opportunity to bid on an array of donated items during the event’s silent auction. Restaurants, caterers and beverage purveyors also compete in a spirited, yet friendly, competition for one of eight “Best in Show” cuisine and beverage category awards.
“We’re honored to have such an esteemed group of judges to determine this year’s ‘Best in Show’ award winners,” says Freeman. “The judges represent all aspects of the food and restaurant industry, and they bring more than 100 years of combined experience to the event.”
This year’s judges, a group consisting of chefs and restaurateurs, as well as community and civic leaders, include:
Sara Van Asch is an active member of the Junior League of Raleigh, and served as co-chair of the cookbook committee that published the League’s latest cookbook, the award-winning, You’re Invited Back. (http://www.jlraleigh.org)
Annette Brown is the owner and operator of A'nets Katch in Knightdale. A Knightdale native, Annette possesses a passion for excellence in guest service and outstanding fresh seafood. (anetskatch.com)
Sheri Castle is a food writer, cooking instructor, recipe tester and developer. Sheri’s latest cookbook, The New Southern Garden Cookbook, is about eating seasonal and local food. (http://www.sheri-inc.com)
Kristen and Steve Daniels enjoy letting their stomachs guide their adventures through places like Vietnam, Thailand, France, Italy and Brazil. Kristen found her way into Steve’s heart through her kitchen creations by experimenting with new flavors and local herbs.
Meg Ergenzinger is a volunteer with the Junior League of Raleigh and White Memorial Presbyterian Church. Meg led the publication of the Junior League of Raleigh’s newest cookbook, You’re Invited Back, which was the winning cookbook in the USA Book News “Best Books” Awards. (http://www.jlraleigh.org)
Steven Greco started his culinary career in Hawaii, working with top island chefs to appreciate and understand the art of fusion cuisine from around the world. He currently works in sales and consulting for the Southeast North Carolina division of International Gourmet Foods. (http://www.igf-inc.com)
Terri Hutter is the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s chief operating officer of foodservice and job training. She joined IFFS in 1999 after serving as a volunteer guest chef for the Culinary Job Training Program which teaches cooking techniques, basic nutrition and other culinary knowledge. (http://www.foodshuttle.org)
Howard Margulies is president of United Restaurant Equipment Company. Since 1952, URECO has been a family owned business, specializing in designing, supplying, delivering and installing commercial kitchens and dining facilities. (http://www.ureco.com)
Corbett Monica is chef and owner of Bella Monica, a neighborhood trattoria that he opened in 2000 with his wife Julie. Grounded in tradition, yet contemporary in spirit, Bella Monica features classic Italian dishes, with Italian-American flavors using local, seasonal ingredients. (http://www.bellamonica.com)
Liza Roney has enjoyed cooking and entertaining since she was a child. She is in the process of opening a catering and event business to meet the needs of commercial, non-profit and private events.
Maxine Solomon has had a gourmet group in Raleigh for 40 years. She loves to cook and loves to eat. Previously, Maxine wrote restaurant reviews with Fred Benton for The Spectator and is co-founder of the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. (http://www.foodshuttle.org)
Event information, including latest news, sponsorship opportunities, participating restaurants and beverage purveyors, volunteer information, ways to make a donation and ticket information is available at http://www.toast2011.org.
About A Toast to the Triangle
A Toast to the Triangle was first held on April 6, 1986, at Carolina Place. Approximately $6,000 was raised to build residential facilities at Tammy Lynn Center. Since then, the event has been held annually to raise funds for Tammy Lynn Memorial Foundation, Inc. to support the following programs and services of Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities: Community Residential, Early Childhood Intervention, Respite Care, and non-Medicaid Day Services. The event offers an astonishing array of culinary splendor from nearly 40 of the Triangle’s finest restaurants, caterers and purveyors of fine wines and specialty beers. Attracting more than 1,200 people, last year’s event raised more than $197,000 for the Center’s programs and services. To learn more about this event, please visit http://www.toast2011.org.
About Tammy Lynn Memorial Foundation, Inc.
Tammy Lynn Memorial Foundation, Inc., founded in 1969, supports programs and services of Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities, including Community Residential, Early Childhood Intervention, Respite Care and non-Medicaid Day Services. For more information, please visit http://www.tammylynncenter.org.
About Tammy Lynn Center
Located on a nine-acre campus near North Carolina State University in Raleigh, Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities (TLCDD) offers educational, residential and family support services to children and adults with special needs. Founded in 1969, the center remains committed to providing the individuals it serves with the opportunity to maximize their abilities and potential in a loving, nurturing environment. TLCDD is owned by Tammy Lynn Memorial Foundation, Inc. and is independently operated by TLC Operations, Inc. Both corporations are under the parent company Tammy Lynn Center, Inc. All organizations are nonprofit entities 501(c)(3), and contributions are tax deductible. Visit http://www.tammylynncenter.org.
Tammy Lynn Center Announces Restaurant Competition Judges for 26th a Toast to the Triangle