After hosting its Big Event Heroes Cook-Off virtually in 2020, Sertoma Centre is bringing the event, along with its fabulous food offerings, back this year live and in person.
The 18th annual cook-off is from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Sertoma’s Martha Polacek Facility, 4100 W. 127th St. in Alsip. It’s the first time Sertoma has hosted the event at its own facility, with previous incarnations at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park, according to spokeswoman Susan Barnett.
“When we first started planning, restaurants and bars were still closed (for indoor dining),” Barnett said. “At the time, we didn’t know if Bourbon Street would be able to host an event. Bourbon Street has always been fantastic, but we needed time to plan. With the pandemic, so much was unknown.”
Sertoma Centre, a local branch of the worldwide Sertoma organization, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. It started after three local Sertoma groups, which Barnett said are still active, worked together to create opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to learn job skills.
It now provides a wide range of services to its consumers, and also assists members of the general public at Sertoma Centre’s Community Mental Health and Counseling facility in Matteson.
On Saturday, volunteer cooks — all local first responders and veterans — will set up outdoors at the Alsip facility. They will create sample portions of their dishes to distribute to guests, who can choose to walk up or drive through for a donation of $20 for those 13 and older, and $10 for those ages 4 to 12.
The cooks include:
? Steve Zook and Jim Leibach (The Tillerboys), Niles Fire Department, making ribs
? Dominic Jarock, VFW Alsip, making ribs
? Charlie Harding, Alsip Fire Department, making fajita chicken tacos
? Dominick Iovino, Stickney Fire Department, making kickin’ chicken tacos
? William Cordes, Chicago Police Marine Unit (retired), making spicy cowboy chili
? Tom Smiley, from VFW Alsip, making chili
“We are welcoming back past winners Dominick Iovino, our defending champion from last year’s virtual cook-off, and the Tillerboys from Niles Fire Department who won in 2018. Everyone raves about their ribs,” Barnett said. “All of them sound good. Couple different chilis, tacos, fajitas. Tell people to come with an appetite.”
After sampling, guests can vote for their favorite dish or cook. A panel of judges will also sample each dish and vote for which chef they believe should get the top prize of bragging rights.
Judges include Alsip Mayor John D. Ryan, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Illinois Sen. Bill Cunningham, Illinois Rep. Fran Hurley, Rick Wittingham of Wittingham Meats and the “Unforgettable Chef” Tom Grotovsky.
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Guests at the cook-off can also buy chips and drinks, along with beer from Pollyanna Brewing Company and cupcakes from Doughs Guys Bakery, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Sertoma Centre.
All cooks, volunteers and guests will be required to wear masks, and Barnett said social distancing rules will be observed.
Even though last year’s event had to be virtual, and this year’s in-person event has some limitations, Barnett said Sertoma was determined to keep the cook-off going. In addition to guest donations, a large group of sponsors supports the event that raises between $75,000 to $100,000 for the agency.
“Throughout the whole pandemic, we’ve still had consumers that need services, budgets we need to meet,” she said. “This event not only supports consumers at Sertoma Centre, but also gives first responders the recognition they deserve.”
Carole Sharwarko is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.