22ND ANNUAL EVAN WILLIAMS BOURBON COOKING CONTEST

RAQUELLE ZENCKA WINS TOP PRIZE FOR BOURBON CUISINE

AT 22ND ANNUAL EVAN WILLIAMS BOURBON COOKING CONTEST

 

LOUISVILLE, (Ky.) – The 22^nd annual Evan Williams Bourbon Cooking Contest kicked off the culinary competitions at the Kentucky State Fair today, showcasing many of the most creative Bourbon dishes in the Commonwealth.  Heaven Hill Distilleries, producers of Evan Williams Bourbon, awarded the coveted Blue Ribbon top prize to Raquelle Zencka of Louisville for her Maple-Chipotle Bourbon Glazed Wings.

 

A distinguished panel of local judges selected the entrée from over 47 entries this year. Red (second place) and White (third place) ribbons were awarded to Lisa Gunther Clark of Lawrenceburg for Evan’s Tenderloin and Eleanor Mason of Prospect for Ellie’s Frisco Chicken, respectively.

 

Judges for the contest included John Plymale, owner, Porcini; Susan Seiller, owner, Jack Fry’s Restaurant; Jason Brauner, co-owner, Bourbon’s Bistro; John Belski, meteorologist, WAVE 3; Barry Bernson, Fox 41 TV News “Fox In the Morning” anchor; and Heaven Hill Master Distiller Craig Beam. The event is presented annually by Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.   

 

In the two-plus decades that the Evan Williams’ Bourbon Cooking Contest has been held, cooking with Bourbon has evolved from the home kitchen, to a regional specialty, to an important trend among “celebrity” chefs.  During the judging, contestants and spectators were treated to a “cooking with Bourbon” demonstration by Chef Michael Crouch, Chef for Bourbon’s Bistro.  Chef Crouch performed the demonstration using Evan Williams Bourbon, American’s second-largest selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.  Also on hand to assist Chef Crouch and keep the crowd on its toes as emcee was popular morning show host Kelly K., from the “Peter B. and Kelly K. Show,” heard on 99.7 WDJX Radio. 

 

Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the Bardstown, Ky.-based maker of distilled spirits, produces Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey - named for the Commonwealth's first distiller. 

 

“It has been very gratifying to see the theme of our contest – cooking with Bourbon – grow into a national trend.  Bourbon has always been used regionally.  Our local sauces and stews have always benefited from it, but now it has become an important ingredient for top national chefs, and we even have restaurants that make it their main theme. The Evan Williams Bourbon Cooking Contest still affords local amateur culinary enthusiasts the opportunity to showcase their creativity with Bourbon each year,” said Max Shapira, president of Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.

 

The recipes were rated on originality, ease of preparation, appearance, name and the contribution of Evan Williams Bourbon to the taste and aroma of the dish. In addition to receiving a coveted Kentucky State Fair prize ribbon and a cash prize, each of the winning entries will be considered for publication in the next "Cooking with Bourbon" recipe booklet, published periodically by Heaven Hill Distilleries.

 

22^nd Annual Evan Williams Bourbon Cooking Contest Winning Recipe

August 17, 2007

 

Maple-Chipotle Bourbon Glazed Wings

 

 3 lbs. (about 36) Chicken Wings

 

Maple Chipotle Sauce Ingredients:

2 tablespoons oil

1 cup chopped onion

½ cup maple syrup

¾ cup ketchup

½ cup Evan Williams Bourbon

4 tablespoons Hoisin Sauce

2 tablespoons Chinese Barbeque sauce

1-2 teaspoons Chipotle paste

1 cup real mayonnaise

 

In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.  Cook onion until golden.  Add all ingredients (except for the mayonnaise) to the onion mixture.  Bring to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

 

Remove from the heat and whisk in the mayonnaise.  Reserve ½ cup of sauce.  Brush and cover each wing with some of the remaining sauce, then grill or broil for about 15 minutes, basting with sauce during cooking.

 

Serve reserved sauce with cooked chicken wings.