LOCAL

Chef Eric Bueno turns a surprise ingredient into big win for Community Kitchen

Carol Kugler
The Herald-Times

Curried shrimp wrapped in layers of a small naan crepe topped with yogurt spiced with turmeric, ginger and honey and a thin, marinated pork loin served with basil gnocchi, chimichurri and a basil aioli gave Feast Market and Cellar chef Eric Bueno the Golden Spatula at this year's Chef's Challenge.

The Iron-Chef type cooking competition always has a secret ingredient that's revealed to the three chefs just before they begin an hour of cooking dishes that are served to the judges. All the cooking and plating are done while the judges and audience watch.

This year's secret ingredient? Basil, with four or five varieties available for the chefs to incorporate into their dishes.

The Bloomington Chefs' Challenge returned to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater on Aug. 6 after a two-year hiatus due to COVID rand raised $23,000 for Community Kitchen of Monroe County, which hosts the event.

Eric Bueno, chef at Feast Market & Cellar, won the 14th Bloomington Chefs' Challenge on Aug. 6, 2022.

Bueno was helped by his sous chef Brett Holloway and not only won Golden Spatula but also the People's Choice Award. Other chefs who competed were Alan Booze, chef at Meadowood Retirement Community, who worked with sous chef Clayton Eads; and Cody Gradolf of Osteria Rago, who worked alongside sous chef Ian Fletcher.

More: Last Chefs' ChallengeDave Tallent wins 13th annual Bloomington Chefs' Challenge

All proceeds benefit Community Kitchen's efforts to alleviate hunger in Monroe County. Assistant Director Tim Clougher told the audience that Community Kitchen served 243,229 meals and healthful snacks in 2021. The agency's food truck, which currently serves food to people in the Ellettsville area on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, will be adding days and routes, Clougher said.

To learn more about Community Kitchen or to volunteer, go to www.monroecommunitykitchen.com.