Contact:
Liz Cox, Marketing and Communications
Morsel Combat
(515) 360-7473
[email protected]
DES MOINES’ TOP CHEFS TO COMPETE IN ANNUAL BENEFIT TO FIGHT
HUNGER
April 17, 2013, West Des Moines, IA - Building on the success of the 2012 inaugural event,
Morsel Combat returns to downtown Des Moines, April 26, 2013, at Embassy Suites on the
River, 101 East Locust Street. Inspired to support the Healthiest State Initiative, Morsel Combat’s
11 competing chefs are challenged to dazzle a panel of judges with a healthy entrée of their
creation weighing in at less than 600 calories and less than 20g of fat, a guideline set by the
Healthiest State Initiative.
The food fight also aims to combat hunger, designating all proceeds to Meals from the
Heartland - a West Des Moines-based non-profit organization that packages and distributes meals
to feed the starving and hungry. “This event is a statement of the heart from the heartland,” says
Chrystal Tamillo, Morsel Combat Foundation board chair. Showcasing Des Moines’ culinary
talent, “It’s a one-of-a kind event,” Tamillo says, “An evening of amazing food, music, and an
opportunity to meet the chefs of your favorite restaurants. At the end of the night you feel good
knowing you ate healthy and helped a person in need!”
NCMIC vice president and general manager of card services, Tracy Schmidt says his corporation
is pleased to support Morsel Combat for a second year. “At NCMIC Group/Professional Solutions
we recognize the extreme need that Meals from the Heartland is addressing and found Morsel
Combat was a great way to broaden our financial support to that organization.”
Awarding Morsel Combat’s “2013 Top Chef” prize are returning judges Jessica Dunker,
President of the Iowa Restaurant Association, Jerry Armstrong, Chairman of Meals from the
Heartland, and local Executive Chef Partner of Orchestrate Hospitality, George Formaro. New to
the judging table: Kristin Porter, blogger of Iowa Girl Eats. Not to be left out of the judging
action, guest can cast their own vote, taking part in small-plate versions of each chef’s creation
before selecting their favorite dish to award the “Peoples’ Choice” champion.
In keeping with the food theme, live entertainment will be provided by Des Moines band The
Snacks.
Returning competitors include
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2012 Peoples’ Choice Winner Tim Garton with Sysco Foods
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar – Chef Partner, Josh McCurnin
Terrace Hill – Chef, Sharon Van Verth
Fresh Café, Chef and Owner Kerri Rush
New to the competition this year:
 Dos Rios, Executive Chef, Mike Holman
 Embassy Suites, Executive Chef Jeff Russell
 Americana, Executive Chef Dan Warren
 Wasabi Tao, Chef Jay Wang
 Louis’ Wine Dive, Chef Jason Kapela
 Windsor Heights Hy-Vee, Executive Chef Josh Van Ryswyk
 Urbandale Hy-Vee, Chef and Seafood Manager Nick Brozek
Advance tickets are $35 ($40 at the door) and are available now through
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/316406.
The Healthiest State Initiative is a privately led, publicly endorsed effort that engages Iowans and
their communities throughout the state. It involves individuals, families, businesses, faith-based
organizations, not-for-profits and the public sector in a broad-based community-focused effort to
improve well-being. For more information, visit www.iowahealthieststate.com.
Since 2008, Meals from the Heartland has provided more than 22 million meals to the hungry in
Iowa and around the world. Meals from the Heartland is a non-profit, 501(c) 3 organization
composed of volunteers who package meals for delivery to starving people around the world as
well as right here in Central Iowa and elsewhere in the United States. Individuals, businesses,
schools, churches and various civic organizations have come together to show the nation and the
world what people who truly care can accomplish. For more information visit
www.mealsfromtheheartland.org.
The Morsel Combat Foundation is an organization generated by the West Des Moines Leadership
Academy’s Class of 2012 formed to collaborate with community leaders in creating local and
global awareness of the impact of hunger by bringing together culinary experts, community
stakeholders and philanthropic leaders through fun sustainable experiences. The Morsel Combat
Foundation is interested in working with other Iowa communities inspired to make a positive
change. If your community is interested in hosting a Morsel Combat event, please contact us at
[email protected]. For more information about Morsel Combat please visit
www.morselcombat.org.
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