Contests

Your Celebrity Chef Ball Contest Winner: Hot Dogs In Paris

We had plenty of submissions in our Meals on Wheels Celebrity Chef Ball contest, but as with Highlander, there can only be one. Or, okay, since there was a runner up, two: Emmy Maynes took runner-up with her tale of a gourmet bus feast with an unhappy ending, and scoring the grand prize of two VIP tickets to tonight’s benefit was Catherine Johnson, with a delicious (and, as it happens, Chicago-esque) Parisian experience.

Catherine’s winning entry:

While studying abroad in Paris during college, my friends and I had packed up our dorky backpacks and set off for a weekend of hostel bunk-beds. Enroute to the airport, we stopped at a nondescript sandwich stand and ordered paninis. The elderly Frenchman behind the counter eyed us speculatively. “You girls got big appetites?” he asked. We nodded eagerly. “Then you don’t want that. You’re getting hot-dogs. Double or single?” Not being girls to eat one hot dog, we practically yelled double. Onto the grill went a pile of Gruyere cheese which immediately started sizzling, followed by not two, but four hot-dogs. The cheese and dogs were liberally topped with ketchup and Dijon mustard and piled onto a fresh baguette. We stared in wonder—this was a hot-dog like we’d never seen before. The old man winked. “I know you can do it,” he cackled, noticing our intimidation. We did.

Thanks to all who entered — if you didn’t win, tickets are still available for the Chef’s Tasting, which is tonight at Macy’s State street from 8 p.m. until the wee hours. They run $100 each, and you can buy them at the door. More details here.

Your Celebrity Chef Ball Contest Winner: Hot Dogs In Paris