St. Ann’s Community FOOD FIGHT benefit event goes virtual for 2020, raises over $200K for residents

Posted on November 2, 2020
St. Ann’s Community held its signature fundraising event, FOOD FIGHT – An Epic Culinary Competition, on Friday, October 16 at the Genesee Valley Club and on TV and computer screens across the country.

Held virtually for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Ann’s signature event featured four local chefs competing in a 30-minute challenge to create an entrée from mystery ingredients. Chef Taylor Wilde, Sous Chef at Good Luck, took home this year’s trophy by creating a winning dish of curry-rubbed pork chops with apple and spiced couscous.

As things heated up in the kitchen, audience members, including residents of St. Ann’s Community, joined the fun from their homes. Some, like Rachel Bandych, held virtual dinner parties via Zoom as they watched the action.

“I’ve always wanted my sister to attend FOOD FIGHT but she lives in California, so the virtual event allowed her to join us for the first time,” says Bandych, a member of St. Ann’s Foundation Board.

Rachel’s sister, Sarah Epstein, calls it the “silver lining” of an otherwise difficult year.

“The virtual nature was part of the fun,” says Sarah. “We decided to dress up as if we were going out but only from the waist up, with pajamas on the bottom.”

The event raised over $213,000 for St. Ann’s Community residents this year. Proceeds from FOOD FIGHT support quality of life initiatives for St. Ann’s elders. St. Ann’s Community thanks their sponsors, volunteers, guests, and all of the local businesses who joined with their corporate support.