Connecticut Latke Throw Down

The first ever Connecticut Latke Throw Down will be hosted by The Emanuel Synagogue, Sunday, December 4, 2011, 2:00 pm at 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford. A State Latke Champion will be crowned by celebrity judges, and guests will sample different latke preparations by four competing chefs while comedienne Linda Belt entertains and MCs the afternoon. Throughout the event, a vendor bazaar and tea-cup raffle will be available with an online auction leading up to it. 

This cook-off competition is occurring a few weeks before the Jewish festival of Hanukkah which commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago and the miracle that there was only enough oil in the reclaimed temple to keep the menorah lit for one day yet it lasted for eight.  “This major community cultural event is celebrating an ancient custom of eating foods cooked in oil, yet we are celebrating in a creative, fun and very contemporary way” Ira Henowitz, event chairperson, proudly states. 

Chefs competing for State Latke Championship will be Meredith Abel of Abel Caterers in Woodbridge, Stephen Grace of the Crown Market in West Hartford, Tony Dal Zovo of the Emanuel Synagogue Brotherhood in West Hartford, and Paul Bettan of Joy of Food Catering in West Hartford.

Celebrity judges are: Hartford Courant Java Column and Food Writer Maryellen Fillo, Food Network Design Director Wendy Waxman, Pastry Chef Audra Weisel, and Executive Chef of Barcelona Restaurant West Hartford Adam Greenberg.

Opening the program is a cooking demonstration by Cabot Cheese Chef Jimmy Kennedy who tells us that "From my Aunt's potato pancakes that were served at every meal when I lived in Mississippi, to my introduction to latkes in New York City and Vermont, I've been eating, making and enjoying different versions of potato pancakes since I was a kid.  Today, my favorite version is Sweet Potato and Cabot Cheddar Latkes."

An exciting online auction leads up to the event. Featured are food related and other fun items such as sporting event tickets, weekend getaways, Boppers Entertainment inflatables and party lighting, membership in JDate, museum passes, catered dinner parties , and gift certificates from many local businesses. Bidding takes place November 1 – December 1 at  www.CharityAuctionsToday.com/store/Emanuel_Synagogue/. 

General admission for the program is $10.00/person in advance, $18.00 at the door and children under 12 free. There is a $25.00 family cap with advance reservations. You can also choose to be a Hot Potato Sponsor for $50.00 which includes admission for two or a Crispy Latke Sponsor for $100.00 which includes admission for four. Reservations can be made by sending a check to The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford, 06117. Please include your email address and/or phone number so that we may confirm your reservation. For information, call 860-236-1275 or visit www.emanuelsynagogue.org.

Helping to make this event possible are sponsors Abel Caterers, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Emanuel Synagogue Brotherhood, the Connecticut Jewish Ledger, The Crown Market, Custom Tinting Unlimited, Hebrew Health Care, Joy of Food, Militsky Eggs, and UConn Health Center.

As this is a food event and The Emanuel Synagogue recognizes that many people today are going hungry, we ask that every attendee bring a non-perishable food item to donate to a local food pantry. Proceeds from the event and the online auction support the work of the synagogue — caring for people, educating people, marking the good times as well as the bad as a community, giving people a spiritual vocabulary and a means of spiritual expression.