The crowds packed into Aggressive Appliances on Friday, November 14 to witness our five qualifying couples go head to head in the finals of the Orlando Couples Cook-Off.
In the end, it was Arti Kalidas and Chirag Kabrawala who, surrounded by a slew of supporters, triumphed and took home a spectacular Sub-Zero wine cooler and a two-night gourmet getaway at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes including dinner for two at Primo.
Event producers Kendra Lott of Edible Orlando and Kristen Manieri of Orlando Date Night Guide couldn’t be more thrilled with the results of Orlando’s first Couples Cook-Off, the least of which was an $800 donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
A big thanks goes to the event’s sponsors and supporters, especially Aggressive Appliances, who let us take over their spectacular showroom for three qualifying rounds and for the finals.
We’d also like to thank:
JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes
Sub Zero – Wolf
Bosch
Miele
Jenn-Air
Whole Foods
Orlando Meats
Olde Hearth Bread Company
Wild Ocean Seafood Market
The Ancient Olive
Wine on the Way
Winter Park Distilling Company
Thomas Thorspecken
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
And thank you to our judges: Joseph Hayes (Orlando Magazine), Katie Farmand (Edible Orlando), Pam Brandon (Edible Orlando), Adrienne Iannone (Whole Foods) and Cinthia Sandoval (Wild Ocean Seafood).
We will be back again next year with the 2nd Annual Orlando Couples Cook-Off. Stay tuned!
Winners Arti Kalidas and Chirag Kabrawala scored a Sub Zero wine cooler and a two-night gourmet getaway to JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes.
Jen Denhart and Tracy Kuch of The Ancient Olive shared tastings of their amazing olive oils paired with bread and popcorn.
Contestants put forth their best efforts and the results were delicious and wonderfully plated dishes.
Haley Botticello and Nicholas Catel came in 2nd place and won a Miele canister vacuum worth $700.
Joseph Hayes of Orlando Magazine was one of five judges and is shown here with contestants Nicole and Ken Sargent, who placed 5th.
The entourage of supporters for Arti Kalidas and Chirag Kabrawala wore t-shirts and brought signs.
Thomas Thorspecken of the blog Analog Artist Digital World sketched the event.
A beautiful and fresh seafood display was provided by Wild Ocean Seafood Market.
Paul Twyford of Winter Park Distilling Company served a wonderful Ruby Red Grapefruit Fizz made with his Dog Island Rum.
Jennifer and Gary Papoula came in 3rd place and won a KitchenAid stand mixer valued at $350!
4th Place winners Carol-Anne and Harold Warren scored a Bosch Tassimo coffee system worth $200.
