Crozet Culinary Competition for Charity

The Lodge at Old Trail officially opened its doors on May 18, 2012, but many months prior to that event, a tradition was started to bring the Crozet community and The Lodge community together. This tradition, called Third Thursday at The Lodge, is the brainchild of owner, David Hilliard.  Since September 2011, Third Thursday has hosted vintners, authors, historians, chocolatiers, master gardeners, chefs, a former Governor, not-for-profit organizations, and other local, notable professionals. A few Third Thursday events have become annual traditions due to their popularity and positive impact on the greater community.

One such event is the Crozet Culinary Competition for Charity. This exciting evening is a favorite and was designed to enable The Lodge to raise funds in support of local organizations and repay the kindness  Crozet residents have shown our senior living community. The event is based loosely on a television show, Iron Chef America.

Four Crozet restaurant Chefs are given one hour to create an entrée and dessert using  local ingredients selected by Lodge Executive Chef Jesse Kaylor. The mystery basket is unveiled at the start of the event. What follows is an exciting hour of friendly but fierce competition.  One or more celebrity judges watch the competition and sample the dishes at the end to select the winner.  The CCCC has been a huge success, selling out every year.

On Thursday, September 18th at 6pm the Third Annual Crozet Culinary Competition for  Charity will commence.  This year we are raising money for  Claudius Crozet Park and specifically, the development of a small pond-side amphitheater. The amphitheater will accommodate both inside and outside seating and is expected to become a focal point at the Park and for Crozet.  This will attract a variety of musical guests, events, plays, and other performances. Claudius Crozet Park is a 22-acre, community owned and operated park that relies on charitable donations to operate and continue to expand its programs, services, and amenities. The amphitheater is expected to cost $120,000.

Please buy your tickets ($20) in advance to support this local organization and come join us for a wonderful, fun-filled evening of  local wines, micro brews, bites prepared by The Lodge culinary team, a silent auction of local art, a raffle for three-seats at the judges’ table and the chance to win one of the Chefs’ creations, not to mention witnessing the fast-paced culinary prowess of our local Chefs.

Purchase your tickets from The Lodge at Old Trail, the Senior Center, or the competing Chefs’ restaurants.