Greater Chicago Food Depository Challenge: Guac for good

The first ever “Great Guacamole Challenge” took place at the Greater Chicago Food Depository on Aug. 7. This fun-filled competition was a partnership between Mariano’s, Avocados from Peru, the Chicago Fire soccer team and the GCFD. As part of the challenge, Avocados from Peru, the Fire and Mariano’s donated a trailer full (100,000!) of avocados to GCFD!

Amanda Puck, Mariano’s VP of Communications and Brand Development, and her team invited a group of media types to team up with players from the Chicago Fire. Friendly competitors included Ana Belaval (WGN-TV) with goalie Chris Brady; Natalie Bomke (Fox-32 Chicago) with defender Justin Reynolds; Cara Carriveau (WLS-TV) with defender Chase Gasper; Joe Chatz (Chicago sports writer) with midfielder Jonathan Dean; and this writer who was paired with forward Fabian Herbers.

Each team was tasked with creating an award-winning guacamole dish. Judges Xavier Equihua (President & CEO, Avocados from Peru); Amanda Puck, Monique Batteast (GCFD Corporate Relations Manager) and Jill Zimmerman (Chief Philanthropy Officer, GCFD) had a tough job sampling all the great dishes.

Teams were allowed to bring “secret” ingredients in a race to the taste but all the essentials were provided by GCFD. In the end, the coveted Silver Avocado Award was presented to Natalie Bomke and her team member Justin Reynolds.

Kudos to all the players, teams and participants! The goals of the event were to promote healthy eating, integrate avocados into daily nutrition and to raise awareness for the wonderful work the Greater Chicago Food Depository does to support those in need. Guacs for good, long may they reign!