Tower Club Holds Smithfield Chef Challenge

Six Chefs from Dallas-Area ClubCorp Clubs Compete, Members Serve as Judges

DALLAS - Six Dallas-area ClubCorp chefs gathered Oct. 21 at the Tower Club downtown to compete in the Smithfield Chef Challenge, a competition during which the chefs prepared two items (one cold and one hot) using at least one food product from Smithfield Foods, which produces more than 50 brands of pork products. The winner was determined by the more than 150 members from various clubs in the ClubCorp family who attended the event and mingled, sipped on cocktails, and visited the chef-hosted food stations to taste the food before casting their votes.

Jeff Zimmerman, who serves as ClubCorp’s Director of Culinary Development, won the Challenge, receiving the most votes for his Cider Brined Smithfield Pork Loin with a Bourbon Molasses Glaze, Crispy Sweet Potatoes, Sun-Dried Cranberry Compote and Pumpkin Oil and for his Crispy Wontons with Five Spiced Seared Salmon, Rock Shrimp, Napa Cabbage, Cucumber and Sweet Soy Miso Vinaigrette.

Taking second place was Salvadore Hernandez, Executive Chef at Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco, who prepared Smithfield Pork Sliders with Fried Pickles, Raspberry-Chipotle Chutney, on Jack Cheese Slider Buns and Moroccan Spiced Shrimp with a Golden Couscous Wild Rice Medley and Red Pepper Coulis. Salvadore shared his award with Alberto Rodriguez, Executive Sous Chef at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, who oversaw the presentation and serving of the food.

Also competing in the Chef Challenge were Brent Ruggles, Executive Chef at Las Colinas Country Club in Irving; Scott Blankenship, Executive Chef at the Tower Club; Bryant Currie, Executive Chef at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club in McKinney; and Brad Evers, Executive Chef at La Cima Club in Irving; who was being represented in the competition by La Cima Executive Sous Chef Chris Voytas.

The Smithfield Chef Challenge is just one of several “hub” events ClubCorp recently began holding in its major markets to enhance the private club experience for members and to expand their opportunities to build relationships.