Gastrolust

On the heels of judging Guest Chef on the Waterfront and the Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon, I’ll be judging an interesting cooking competition coming up this Saturday on the Eastside.

INCREDELICIOUS 2008 is a fundraiser for EKAL Seattle, which works to improve literacy and to educate tribal children in India. The organizers tell me that the local chapter raised enough funds this past year to open over 100 schools. This cook-off will increase awareness of their efforts and help further their cause.

Entry to the cooking part of the competition sold out quickly. Participants will prepare appetizers and desserts, and I’m anticipating that a good portion of the 60 planned dishes will be Indian food—and the majority Asian. For $5 (free for those 10 and under), you’ll get to sample the competitors’ food and vote for your favorite, with the winner receiving a “popular choice” award. (Note that Spice Route will be preparing additional food for the event.) Meanwhile, I’ll be part of a panel of judges charged with the challenge of choosing the best dishes of the evening. And if you’d like to learn more about the art of evaluating food, you can bid for the chance to have lunch with yours truly at an area restaurant. We’ll critique the food, and your comments can appear in one of my future reviews!

Other items will be up for auction, and expect raffle prizes, too—along with the good food and good fun. Register online and plan to come to the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center this Saturday from 5-7 p.m.