ROCHELLE RILEY
Amateur chefs asked to share recipes for literacy
Detroit Free Press Columnist
Anyone who knows me knows of my 16-year mission to improve adult literacy across metro Detroit, a crusade that includes the annual December fund-raising luncheon and honorary cochair duties with Bookstock, Michigan's largest used book and media sale.
But only my closest friends know that I like to cook — even if it's only about 12 times a year.
These two passions had nothing in common — until now: Bookstock is hosting the first-ever, metro Detroit recipe contest to benefit literacy. It's called Cookstock, a Kitchen Adventure. And we're looking for the best healthy, one-dish recipes from across the region.
Cookstock is inviting amateur chefs — and amateur chefs only — to submit their best original takes on a healthy, one-dish meal. That's right, you can use only only one pot, pan, slow cooker or skillet. You can submit a recipe that isn't original, but you have to say where it came from and how you doctored it. For instance, I put hot sauce or A1 Steak Sauce on almost everything. And yes, I carry both in my purse. So, there.
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The winner not only will get bragging rights, but will earn the fantastic grand prize: a day in the kitchen with the chefs at Grey Ghost, one of the Detroit Free Press's 2017 Top Ten restaurants.
But you won't just drop in. You'll help Chefs John Vermiglio and Josef Giacomino prepare a six-course meal that you'll share with three of your friends.
But that's not all: The winner also will prepare the winning dish on WDIV Local 4's "Live in the D."
The second- and third-place finishers won't go away empty-handed: Second prize is a Wolf countertop convection oven, and third prize is a $100 dinner gift certificate to Beau's, Mex or Social restaurants.
Now, I've already told you how often I cook, so I won't be choosing the winners. A panel featuring John Vermiglio of Grey Ghost, Kate Williams of the new Lady of the House restaurant, Detroit Free Press restaurant critic Mark Kurlyandchik and Detroit News features reporter and star foodie Melody Baetens will do that. Local news anchors Carolyn Clifford (WXYZ-TV 7) and Sherry Margolis (FOX2) and "Live in the D" cohost Tati Amare (WDIV Local 4) will announce the winners at 5 p.m. April 26 at Laurel Park Place in Livonia. They will be joined by attorney Mike Morse, Bookstock's presenting sponsor. As honorary cochairs, Detroit News columnist Neal Rubin and I will be there, too.
If this sounds like fun, head over to www.bookstockmi.org/cookstock to read all the rules and download an entry form. Remember, you must get your recipe and that form in to Bookstock headquarters by March 20. Send the form and your recipe to:
Cookstock
c/o Bookstock
6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 370
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301.
Cookstock falls in the middle of Bookstock, which runs April 23-30 at Laurel Place Park mall. This is the 15th anniversary of the annual sale, which has raised more than $1.7 million for literacy and education projects across metro Detroit. Questions? Contact Beverly Phillips 248-203-1527 or phillips@jfmd.org.
May the best recipe win!
Contact Rochelle Riley at rriley99@freepress.com. Follow her on Twittter @rochelleriley.