LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the help of Susan Whetzel from Doughmesstic, Alice D’Antoni Phillips from Murrells Inlet, S.C. has won the annual DOLE® California Cook-Off grilling competition and a grand prize of $25,000 for her winning recipe, Harissa Veal Meatball Fruit Kabobs with Greek Yogurt Mint Sauce & Goat Cheese.
Phillips was one of three finalists flown out to Los Angeles on Saturday, June 29 to participate in the 2013 DOLE California Cook-Off, along with runner ups Carmell Childs of Ferron, Utah with “DOLE”ightful Tropical Berry Sticky Rice with Mango Passion Coulis and Lorie Roach of Buckatunna, Miss. with Grilled Pineapple Candied Shrimp Cocktails with Pineapple Jalapeno Dipping Sauce. Phillips is also known for her blog, Ally’s Kitchen and her qualification in the top 100 in MasterChef season 2.
The competition proved to be incredibly fierce, as the three finalists faced each other in the center plaza of the high-trafficked Santa Monica Place outdoor mall to prep, cook and plate a delicious recipe in 60 minutes or less using at least one DOLE packaged food product, up to seven additional ingredients and a Weber® gas grill. An audience of thousands cheered on the finalists while enjoying samples of DOLE products and participating in raffles throughout the day.
“I am so proud to win and show-off Dole Tropical Fruit in a new way using the North African spice Harissa,” said Phillips, 2013 DOLE California Cook-Off Champion. “My feet still haven’t touched the ground!”
Acclaimed grilling guru and celebrity chef, Ben Ford of Ford’s Filling Station in Culver City, Calif., kicked off the event with his delicious Fresh Grilled Shrimp Spring Rolls with Dole Tropical Fruit Chutney and wowed the audience with additional grilling demos using DOLE products. He also led an esteemed judging panel of individuals from across the nation, including the winner of the 2012 DOLE California Cook-Off, Jeanette Nelson, food blogger Liz Della Croce of The Lemon Bowl and Kim Brothers, the Dole.com sweepstakes winner from North Canton, Ohio. The finalists’ recipes were judged on the best use of DOLE products, creativity, flavor and taste.
“Each year we are excited to see the creativity come to life as we witness our DOLE ingredients being used in such a different way,” said Michael Contreras, spokesperson for Dole. “The caliber and variety of the recipes is extremely impressive, and we are happy to welcome Ally Phillips as the DOLE Cook-Off Champion – the one that stood out amongst thousands.”
Southern California-based food bloggers, selected by Dole, contributed their expertise as acting sous-chefs in the competition, including Sara O’Donnell of Average Betty, Priscilla Willis of She’s Cookin, and Susan Whetzel of Doughmesstic.
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About Dole Packaged Foods
Dole Packaged Foods LLC, a subsidiary of Dole International Holdings, is a leader in sourcing, processing, distributing and marketing fruit products and healthy snacks throughout the world.
Dole markets a full line of canned, jarred, cup, frozen and dried fruit products and is an innovator in new forms of packaging and processing fruit. For more information please visit www.dole.com.
