Press Releases
MorseLife Hosts Annual Celebrity Latke Cook-Off Yields Six Recipes Ranging From Unusual To Creative
WEST PALM BEACH, FL, December 5, 2007 - The competition was fierce among MorseLife staff and local celebrities, vying for top honors in MorseLife annual Celebrity Latke Cook-Off on Wednesday, December 5th. More than just oil was bubbling – the energy and enthusiasm of the participants made for a fun and interesting lunch, and over 85 community members enjoying sampling and a luncheon of chicken and vegetables.
This annual event has become one of the most popular community “lunch and learn” programs at MorseLife, with both staff and celebrities donning chef hats and competing for the best potato pancake recipes. This year’s Celebrity Judge was Jan Norris, Food Editor for the Palm Beach Post who stated that she “had a ball!” Among our other media personalities who served as Celebrity Chefs were Eric Glasser, meteorologist/reporter at WPTV-TV and Lindsay Cohen, reporter at WPEC-TV.
After Jan sampled six varieties, one winner stood out to her, a spicy potato and pastrami latke with a touch of Jamaican spice, cooked by Keith Myers and Lisa Desmarteau, president/CEO and senior vice president of finance, respectively, for MorseLife. Upon accepting the prize, Lisa noted that the success of the recipe was “all about presentation and love.” She noted that ultimately, Jan picked the one recipe that scored highest in terms of taste, spice and design, which she and Keith felt was theirs. “While there may be some belly aching about the outcome – but certainly no belly aches in light of the cooking – the cook-off brought some wonderful holiday enjoyment to staff, celebrities and community,” Lisa noted.
Fortunately, all recipes received ribbons in various categories.
- The Vegetable Latkes cooked by Mo Funk, vice president of operations and Eric Glasser of WPTV garnered the “Best Appearance” Award.
- The Onion-Potato Latke cooked by Brian Wagner, chef at the Soup Kettle Restaurant and Carmen Shell, vice president of clinical services, won the “Best Tasting” honor.
- The traditional latke cooked by Lindsay Cohen of WPEC from her own grandmother’s recipe, and Dr. Alan Sadowsky, vice president of community services, earned the “Best Attempt” award.
- The Sweet Potato Latke by last year’s winner Dr. Karl Dhana, senior vice president of medical affairs and Rebecca Berman, director of clinical nutrition won the “Most Unusual” award.
- A Smoked Salmon Latke cooked by Jonathan Landau, director of culinary services at The Tradition of the Palm Beaches and Linda Sevich, community liaison for Kramer Senior Services, won the “Most Creative” award.
- As noted, the winning Potato and Pastrami Latke, by Keith Myers and Lisa Desmarteau won the top prize, “Best Overall” award.
The Latke Cook-Off is just one of many high profile events and programs we offer to bring a sense of tradition and fun to the people we serve and the greater community.
Winning Potato Pancake/Latke Recipe
Potato and Turkey Pastrami Pancakes
- ¾ cup turkey pastrami
- 2 cups potato, peeled and grated
- ½ cup green onion, chopped
- ½ cup parsley
- 3 eggs
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoons corn flakes, crushed to crumbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons oil
Mix pastrami, potato, parsley, green onion, nutmeg, eggs, flour, corn flakes, salt and pepper. Heat a large nonstick pan and add oil. Carefully drop tablespoons of batter into the pan. Fry latkes, turning when crisp. Oil may be added to pan in small amounts as needed when frying. Put on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
For more information and recipes, call (561) 687-5749, or visit our website at www.morselife.org.
MorseLife is a nationally-recognized provider of health care and residential services for seniors and their families in Palm Beach County. A charitable, not-for-profit organization, its programs include long term care, short term rehabilitation, independent and assisted living, home care, and an institute for geriatric research and education. Founded in 1983, MorseLife has built a reputation and tradition of caring for seniors with excellence, dignity and compassion -- honoring senior living -- now and forever. For more information, visit www.morselife.org.