Our friends at Simpson House, a Simpson Senior Services community, are turning 150 this year and we couldn’t be more excited to join them in celebrating! As part of their anniversary weekend, which unfolds June 13–14, they’ll be hosting a centerpiece anniversary day (on June 14), which will features games, food and entertainment for residents, staff and their families.
But, exclusive for 2015 is a historic recipe throwdown, which will pit the executive chefs from each of Simpson Senior Service‘s Continuing Care Retirement Communities against one another. Competing chefs will include: James Austin, Simpson House Executive Chef; Martin Lespier, Jenner’s Pond Executive Chef; and Matt Pacell, Simpson Meadows Executive Chef.
Local celebrities will be joining in for the fun too, to act as VIP judges of the competition. They are as follows: Suzanne Loudermilk, executive editor of Delaware Today and Main Line Today; Dan Fedro, division president of FLIK Lifestyles; and Kenneth J. Kolodziej, farm manager of Heritage Farm. Additionally, a panel of nine members from The Simpson House Society will contribute to the judging process. Even better, Dish LLC’s very own Mary Bigham will act as the cookoff’s emcee.
What’s the full scoop on the competition though? Chefs will cook head-to-head in an on-site battle to prepare their best interpretation of the following three courses:
• Simpson House Potato Salad. Background: The Women of Simpson House were well-known for their classic and profitable Simpson House dinners held every spring and fall; potato salad was always included. Chefs are to prepare a potato salad that would have been prepared in church kitchens throughout any decade.
• An entrée which would have been prepared by a Home Cook in the 1920s which must include beef.
• A dessert which would have been prepared by a restaurant chef between 1865 and 1900, which must include fruit.
How will they be judged? The following categories will be awarded as part of the historic recipe battle:
Best Potato Salad: VIP Judge’s Choice Winner
Best Historic Entrée: VIP Judge’s Choice Winner
Best Historic Dessert: VIP Judge’s Choice Winner
Best Overall Menu: VIP Judge’s Choice Winner
Most Authentic Potato Salad: Simpson House Society Choice Winner
Want to join in on the fun? The competing chefs will begin cooking as of 10 a.m. on June 13 at the Simpson House (2101 Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia), with their competing dishes to be judged as of noon. Simpson House’s Sesquicentennial will continue through June 14, with commemorative book release and signing.
About Simpson House
Simpson House was founded in 1865 by women who had cared for wounded soldiers of the Civil War. After the war they turned their attention to the needs of older persons in the community. This unbroken chain of caring exists today. Established in 1865 as a mission fulfillment of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Simpson House continues to meet the housing and health care needs of older men and women, many of whom have limited financial resources, on an equal opportunity basis. Simpson House offers one hundred eighteen (118) one bedroom, forty-eight (48) studio and seven (7) two bedroom apartments; fifty eight (58) personal care apartments and serves one hundred fifty-four (154) residents in the Flanagan Health and Rehabilitation Center. Generous and ongoing support from many donors makes possible our commitment to provide high quality and dignified housing and health care services to the women and men of the Greater Philadelphia Region.
