Burlington, VT- Sam Palmisano of Pulcinella’s was named the Top Chef of the Champlain Valley. The Top Chef of the Champlain Valley, an Iron Chef experience was held to benefit the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging’s Meals on Wheels and Case Management programs.

Palmisano impressed the judges with his celeriac and oyster mushroom bisque and stuffed chicken breast with oyster mushrooms served over chipotle-Gourda polenta and chard with mushroom jus. Competing against Palmisano were Connie Warden of Chow!Bella and David Hoene of Pauline’s Café. Chefs were given 45 minutes to create an appetizer and entrée using secret ingredients that were announced at the start of the competition. This year the secret ingredients were celeriac and oyster mushrooms.

Judges were impressed with Palmisano’s use of the secret ingredients. Sean Buchanan of Vermont Public Television’s "Feast in the Making" and Executive Chef of the Stowe Mountain Lodge emceed this culinary experience. Judges included Carolyn Malcoun of "Eating Well Magazine", Suzanne Podhaizer of "Seven Days", Jozef Harrewyn of "Chef’s Corner" and Annie Harlow a Vermont farmbased merchandising consultant. According to Podhaizer, Palmisano took home the winning title for how he "integrated the secret ingredients into his dishes and how he resisted the temptation to make things complicated." According to Harrewyn, Palmisano was announced as the Top Chef for how he "created harmony on the plate."

The chefs never lost sight of what was at stake, when Palmisano was asked during the competition if he thought he had won his response was "doesn’t matter its for a good cause." Over 225,000 Meals on Wheels will be delivered to homebound seniors in the Champlain Valley this year. The rising cost of food and fuel has placed many challenges on the Meals on Wheels program. The Top Chef benefit raised nearly $20,000 to support CVAA’s nutrition and case management programs, enough to provide over 5300 Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors in the Champlain Valley.

Top Chef of the Champlain Valley Slideshow

The Champlain Valley Agency on Aging recently relocated its central office to Essex Junction to better serve the senior community. CVAA will host an open house on Tuesday, September 23 from 3:00-5:00pm at its new office at 76 Pearl St, Suite 201. For more information call 1-800-642-5119.

The Champlain Valley Agency on Aging is a private non-profit United Way organization dedicated to helping people age with independence and dignity. CVAA  is the resource on senior issues for the Champlain Valley. CVAA provides Case Management , Meals on Wheels, Successful Aging Programs and support to seniors age 60 and older in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle counties and their caregivers.