Second Annual Grilled Cheese Showdown

Wednesday, February 6, 5:30 p.m., Public School Cafeteria

— from Janet Brownell for Orcas Island Education Foundation —

The Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF) invites you to the Second Annual Grilled Cheese Showdown. And if you thought last year was great, this year could be better.

This family-friendly fundraiser takes place on Wednesday, February 6 starting at 5:30 in the public school cafeteria. Your admittance entitles you to soup and grilled cheese sandwich tastings. There will also be a bake sale. And, YOU get to vote for the winning sandwich.

The talented chefs of this event are: Madden Surbaugh, Raymond Southern, Charles Dalton, Geddes Martin, Steve Hardee, and Dante Miller.

Madden Surbaugh has been chef/owner of Steps Wine Bar & Cafe, The Quilted Pig, and the B-Side at Wild Island. He is now assistant GM at the Orcas Food Co-op and avid bread and cheese lover.

Raymond Southern is the Executive Chef of The Mansion Restaurant at Rosario Resort & Spa.  As a former Executive Chef for Holland America Line, he has travelled, lived and cooked all around the globe; his recipes seamlessly combine bold global flavors with the abundance of local ingredients.

Charles Dalton is Co-chef/owner of The Kitchen; a garden cafe. The Kitchen is celebrating 20 years of serving the Orcas Island community.

Geddes Martin is the Chef/Co-owner (along with his wife Mary Anna) of Inn at Ship Bay. Geddes has supported Farm to Table dining in the San Juan Islands for over twenty years. He believes, “simple food is the best food, and the best food is all about the quality of the ingredients used.”

Steve Hardee attended Art Institute of Seattle  where he received his degree in culinary. He has been a Sous Chef and Executive chef at various restaurants in the Tacoma area and now you will find him happily cooking up amazing specials at the Lower Tavern.

Dante Miller is a chef at Roses. Dante says, “A grilled cheese sandwich is universally appealing and lends itself to unlimited variations from the simplest to the most elaborate. All evoke familiar feelings of warmth and comfort.” We couldn’t agree more.

Obviously, every chef will bring their creativity and talent to bread, cheese, and a griddle, but only one will walk home a winner.

Join us for what will be a tasty fundraiser. All proceeds benefit the Orcas Island Education Foundation, whose mission is to support our public schools. Tickets are available at the Chamber of Commerce, the High School, and online: OIEF.org/events. Suggested donation is $12.50 for adults and kids over 13; $5 for kids under 13. Some limited tickets will be available at the door.