Oregon's Poverty Fighting Network

ORCCA Iron Chef contest

On April 14, 2018, over 200 people attended our first Iron Chef fundraiser. Three local chefs were escorted in a limousine to the North Bend Community Center: Karen Owsley from Restaurant O, John Beane from So It Goes Coffeehouse, and Greg Marshall from Elkhorn BBQ.

Judges Clay Rasley from Canard Labs, Emily Stockland from The Waterfall Clinic, and Timm Slater from the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce along with eager community members watched carefully as the food items were revealed. Each chef was given the same ingredients, all items commonly found in a food pantry box. Chefs also had access to a shared pantry. They had to get creative as there were small quantities of many items.

Chefs were given 30 minutes for the first course and one hour for the second course. After tasting each dish, the judges scored the food on overall taste and flavor, presentation, and creativity.

In the end, Karen Owsley from Restaurant O took the title of Coos County Iron Chef. She will be back next year to defend her title!

The Coos Rhythm and Blues Quartet played music everyone loved and rocked out most of the evening.

Guests devoured the delicious appetizers from Chef Frank Murphy and the North Bend High School Blazing Bulldogs. Drinks were provided by 7 Devils Brewery, Stillwagon Distillery, Oregon Wine Cellars, Bandon Brewing, and Bandon Rain.

We had over 30 silent auction items and baskets that included things like a tuna fishing trip, a jet boat ride, a bicycle, trips, and restaurant gift certificates.

Additionally, there was a lot of press and excitement in the community about the event. We saw our Facebook engagement go through the roof with videos of the chefs. Local businesses gave so generously and also put the event on their reader boards, 300+ posters were plastered all over every town, radio giveaways and so much more.

Overall, we raised a little over $16,000. After expenses $7,000 will go to programs to support our mission. Stay tuned for Iron Chef 2019!

If you missed the action this year, check out our website for photos of the event – including the food! Find even more photos and video on our Facebook page.

Submitted by:
Oregon Coast Community Action