Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina held its third annual Wish Upon a Chef event at the UNCW Burney Center on Jan. 24, showcasing the talents of top area chefs, while raising money to create life-changing experiences for children with critical illnesses.
 
The evening featured 16 area chefs competing for the top honors in four categories: appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts.
 
Top honors in the appetizer category went to Chef Ryan Andress of UNCW Catering for a berbere-spiced lamb confit, while Chef Christi Ferretti of Pine Valley Market received the award for best salad with an insalata di mare.

Best entrée was awarded to Chef Danny Lopez of New Hanover Regional Medical Center for braised short Ribs with Montana huckleberry demi-glace. And the award for best dessert was given to Jack Marinich, head baker for Nothing Bundt Cakes, for a snickerdoodle bundtini with cream cheese frosting.

“This was the third year for our event and we had so many issues post Hurricane Florence we were a little nervous how it would come out, but, all of that was pushed aside come event night,” said Jackie Jordan, event organizer and regional development officer for Make-A-Wish Eastern NC. “We were just shy of 380 guests in attendance, and had 16 area chefs showcasing their amazing dishes, plus over 80 volunteers on hand that day to make the event run smoothly.

"At the end of the night we raised $168,500 to grant wishes for kids right here in the this community and we are absolutely thrilled with the outcome and the tremendous showing of community support.”

Since its founding, Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina granted more than 3,600 wishes; more than 1,000 in the past five years alone.

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