A recap of my evening with Carla Hall, Gail Simmons and Cat Cora at the Meijer LPGA Celebrity Chef Cookoff.
Photo Credit: Photographer Gabriel Roux
If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you probably noticed that I recently had a major fan girl moment when I spent the evening with Gail Simmons, Carla Hall and Cat Cora. They were here in Grand Rapids just 10 minutes from my house to participate in the Meijer LPGA Celebrity Chef Cookoff to raise money for Meijer Simply Give which supports hundreds of local shelters and food banks.
I’m pretty sure my cheeks still hurt from grinning so hard. SO HARD. I just couldn’t help myself, these are my people and I felt like I was floating on cloud 9 the entire night.
The event was based around a friendly competition where each chef created three courses: an appetizer, an entree and a dessert. All three women worked at their station so that they could chat with guests, describe their dishes and accept photo opps.
If you know me personally, you might know that I am mildly obsessed with ABC’s The Chew. I’ve been DVR’ing the show every day since it started airing a few years ago. My dream in life is to meet and cook with Chef Michael Symon but that’s another story. Carla Hall is a co-host on the show and I’ve been a huge fan of hers since she won Top Chef many moons ago.
Photo Credit: Photographer Gabriel Roux
This woman is the real deal, my friends. When I approached her for a photograph I assumed she would make a few pleasantries and move back to the station or her husband who was also in attendance. WRONG! Carla kept chatting with me as though we were long lost friends. She is authentic, passionate, genuine and gracious. I wanted to put her in my pocket and keep her forever.
The next chef I met was the legendary Cat Cora who you may recognize from Food Network’s Iron Chef. In fact, she was the FIRST female to be crowned the title! This woman is royalty in the cooking world and it was an honor to be in her presence.
Photo Credit: Photographer Gabriel Roux
The final station I visited was run by the beautiful Gail Simmons who has been a judge on Top Chef since 2006. Can we discuss her dress? Those are radishes, my friends. Radishes!! Love.
The first question I asked Gail was the age of her baby girl. Immediately, her eyes opened wide with joy. As it turns out, her baby is 8 months old – the same age as my youngest.
Immediately we bonded over the ups and downs of being a busy working woman, juggling travel, work/life balance, etc. Gail said, “This is hard work! We need to stick together!” She also made me feel like a million bucks when she raved about how good I look “as though nothing ever happened!” I could have kissed her.
While I was flipping out having my fan girl moments throughout the museum, my dear friend and local blogging buddy Jill was cool as a cucumber. Is she not the cutest? I heart her.
Photo Credit: Photographer Gabriel Roux
Curious who won? Carla Hall! HOOTIE HOO!!! In fact, my husband and I BOTH voted for her which is pretty impressive considering she made Mexican Meatloaf with Spicy Slaw and my husband can’t stand Mexican food. He had 3 servings that night… it was out of this world. ;-)
A huge thank you to Meijer for inviting me to attend this incredible evening I won’t soon forget!
Disclosure: I have not been compensated to write this post but I did receive two complimentary tickets to attend the event. As always, all thoughts are 100% my own.
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
I am so insanely jealous but happy for you at the same time, how fun! I would have probably been too star struck to form real sentences with any of those women.
Joanne
Uh, AMAZING. i love that all the ladies were so down to earth and awesome, even though they are all so totally a big deal!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes I totally agree!!
Cassidy Stockton
How fantastic, Liz! I would have done the same thing! AND, wait a second? Your hubs doesn’t like Mexican food? I didn’t know there were men who didn’t want to eat Mexican every meal every day (like my hubs). :)
Liz DellaCroce
No he doesn’t!! Can you even believe it?? :(
Linda
Thank you for sharing this wondrous experience…So happy for you…Love Carla hall… You will share the meat loaf and spicy slaw recipes???
Liz DellaCroce
You know Linda that’s a great question! I’m not sure of the exact recipe but let me see if I can get my hands on it!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Amazing! Super jealous of you girl! Glad you have an awesome time! XO
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks so much Liz- it was a blast!
Ami@naivecookcooks
Liz looks like so much fun! Bonding with your dream celebrity chefs must be awesome!! I am jealous!!
Liz DellaCroce
It was really a night to remember Ami!
Amanda
Awesome event! Love all of the photos, you look so pretty!!
Liz DellaCroce
Aww thank you buttercup!! xo
Julia
What a fun experience! Very jealous. :)
Liz DellaCroce
It was a fun night! xo
Miss
I loved all of your photos on Facebook. What an incredible opportunity! I think Gail Simmons is just the best!
Liz DellaCroce
She IS the best Miss!!! So down to earth and sweet. It was a night I’ll never forget!
Gaby
What a fun evening!
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks Gaby!
Cookin Canuck
It looks as though you had an amazing night, Liz! How fun! I had the opportunity to meet and chat with Cat Cora last year and walked away thinking what a genuine person she was. And that radish dress on Gail Simmons…yep, love it.
Liz DellaCroce
We need to find radish dresses Dara!!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven)
How fun Liz!!! I loved Carla on Top Chef – so happy that she was as wonderful in person as she seemed on TV. :)
Liz DellaCroce
YES!! Even better in person!
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog
OMG, I’m totally fan girl momenting through you after reading this! How absolutely fun, and how adorable to you look?!? Love your outfit! And love this overview :)
Liz DellaCroce
hahah I was such a crazy fan girl!!! Mildly embarrassing but I couldn’t suppress it. Thank you!!!! The outfit is from HM. <3
Jenny Flake
It was so fun following your Instagram through this event. What a great night!!!
Liz DellaCroce
Aww thanks for following along – I was geeking out!
Lauren @ Hall Nesting
I have to admit I was quite envious when I saw ur posts ab this!! I loooove the Chew! Monday I tried to use the “extra value Friday” voice in my post knowing that only a few would know what I’m talking about. Haha So glad you got this experience!
Liz DellaCroce
I ADORE the Chew too!!! hahaha Love that you used the Extra Value Friday Voice!!!!!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
Looks like an AMAZING night!!
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks girl – it was a night to remember!
Jessica | Saucy Pear
What a completely amazing opportunity! I’m fairly certain I’d hang pictures like the ones you got to take with those ladies next to the ones of my kids :)
Liz DellaCroce
hahha I just might have to. ;)
Bri | Bites of Bri
Sounds like so much fun! Don’t you love when celebs are real and genuine? Nothing kills a celebrity crush like a too cool encounter. Glad these gals are the real deal.
Liz DellaCroce
YES!!! I am so glad they were down to earth and wonderful. The celeb crush continues. :)
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
I saw all these photos on IG and I was SO jealous! So excited that you got to meet such wonderful ladies..it looks so fun!
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks for following along Taylor – I was definitely flipping out!