Chefs Battle Child Abuse to benefit survivors

PRINCETON - The Chuck Mathena Center hosted a full house Friday, April 13, as the community went out on the town for the third Chefs Battle Child Abuse to support Child Protect of Mercer County and HYPE Ministries.

Three local chefs donated their time, talent and food to feed the crowd of 250, who then voted for the night's best dish and the 2018 Top Chef. The night's competition centered around the chefs: Tracy-Ann Mitchell, from The Cherry Street Café in Bluefield; Frank Helisek from the soon-to-be opened Geminelli's Italian Ristorante in Princeton; and Clint Neel from Your Grate Escape in Tazewell, Va.

After sampling a plate from each chef, the crowd voted on their favorite, and Tracy-Ann Mitchell was awarded the 2018 Top Chef trophy for her coffee-and-ancho-chili-braised short ribs over mashed potatoes.

"Tracy-Ann has earned the right to display and enjoy the 2018 trophy," said event organizer and HYPE Director Jessica Basham, "But she will only get it for one year. I'm going to take it back from her next year, and she will have to compete again in 2019 if she wants to keep it for longer."

Event sponsors - Green Valley Animal Hospital and Princeton Health Care Center - were in attendance, and Princeton Health Care Center Administrator Stefani Compton stated, "We are so happy to support such a worthy cause. Tonight is all about the kids who need the help that Child Protect and HYPE can provide."

Shiloh Woodard, Child Protect director, explained where the funds raised through the event will be used at her center: "We will use our proceeds from tonight's event to fund our services for survivors of child abuse and neglect."

Crystal Farmer, director of the Royal Family Kids Camp, was awarded the 2018 Hero for Kids Award during the event. Farmer was selected as the award winner by a panel that reviewed all of the Hero for Kids Award nominations. Crystal accepted her award during the Chefs Battle Child Abuse event and thanked her family and those connected with the Royal Family Kids Camp.

"This is not just my award. This is my family and my co-workers' award too," she said during her acceptance speech.

Jason "Moose" Reed served as the master of ceremonies on Friday night, while the Night and Day Jazz Band provided live music. D.J. Tommy Lester with Take Me There Entertainment also provided music. A silent auction that included sports memorabilia, golf packages, chef-related dinner packages and jewelry rounded out the event. Next year's Chefs Battle Child Abuse event has already been scheduled for Friday, April 5, 2019.