Contest judge Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun samples food at Cooking up Change 2007

The success of the Cooking up Change healthy cooking contest is tied closely to the dedication and enthusiasm of our wonderful celebrity judges and generous team mentors.

Members of this extraordinary team donated their time, talent and taste buds to the challenging task of choosing winners among a fabulous array of delicious entries in the contest.

Celebrity Judges

Lyle Allen, President of Green City Market

Bob Bloomer, Regional Vice President of Chartwells-Thompson Hospitality, provider of school meals to Chicago Public Schools

Carol Moseley Braun, the first African-American woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate, Founder and President of Good Food Organics

Susan Bridges, National Bridal/Merchandising Manager, T-fal

Luisa Echevarria, Community Relations Director, Univision Chicago

Chris Ely, Co-founder, Applegate Farms

Gaylon Emerzian, Emmy award winning editor and writer/director, Spatulatta

Louise Esaian, Food Service Director, Chicago Public Schools

Gale Gand, Award-winning executive pastry chef and partner of Tru, cookbook author and host of the Food Network show “Sweet Dreams”

Jesus Garcia, Executive director of Little Village Community Development Corporation, former Alderman and State Senator

Susan Goss, Chef and co-owner of West Town Tavern

Matti Hunter, Illinois State Senator

Iris Martinez, Illinois State Senator

Phil Mott, faculty member at Kendall College and former owner of Le Français, the noted French restaurant in Wheeling, Illinois

John Moyer, Award-winning lineman for the Chicago Rush

Emily Nunn, Chicago Tribune food writer

Bill Reynolds, Provost, Washburne Culinary Institute

Trey the Choklit Jock, Popular host of the Morning Jumpoff on Power 92.3 (WPWX-FM)

Plus student judges from Chicago Public Schools!

Our wonderful team of mentors from the local culinary community includes:

Team Mentors

Karen Armijo, Gary Comer Youth Center

Joel Cooper, Wolfgang Puck

Michael Garbin, Union League Club of Chicago

Evelyn Hitchcock, J&L Catering

Jill Houk, Centered Chef Food Studios

Anna Jones, Greater Chicago Food Depository

Mary McMahon, Now We’re Cookin’

Stephen Menyhart, Gary Comer Youth Center

Joey Morelli, Joey’s Brickhouse

Joel Nickson, Wishbone

Peggy Ryan, Kendall College

And the Winner Is. . .

Check out the winning school meals and healthy cookie in the Cooking up Change Healthy Cooking Contest !

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Thanks to Our Sponsors

Many thanks to our sponsors, who make a difference for children's health and our environment by supporting Cooking up Change.

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Host Committee

Thank you to the group at the heart of the benefit's success.

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