12 Aug One to One Mentoring: Top Chef Competition Friday
All proceeds from One to One’s Top Chef event this Friday go to support unique mentoring programs in the region. Presented by Alpine Bank. Get your tickets here or call 970-728-0885.
Twenty years ago, in 1994, the One to One Mentoring Program started working with just 35 young people. Since then, hundreds in San Miguel County have been served through a variety of programs tailored to address their diverse needs and help each of them realize their social, emotional and academic potential through professionally supported mentor relationships.
Youth referred to One to One Mentoring programs represent a broad section of the community. They may be wealthy or lower income, from large or small families, minorities or majorities. Some enjoy trying new things and meeting people while others come from a life of significant challenges. They all benefit from a little guidance, encouragement and companionship. One to One Mentoring screens, trains and supports community volunteers so they can effectively mentor a youth in their community.
Programs offered through One to One include the following:
STUDY BUDDY PROGRAM
Focused on providing significant and consistent academic help to students with academic concerns and/or English Language Learners. Mentors foster responsibility, teach life-skills and expose their Mentees to cultural experiences in 2-3 hours per week. Many matches have lasted up to ten years and have expanded beyond academic support.
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
This program offers unique opportunities to establish a focused mentoring relationship rooted in a strong common interest of learning a skill, trade or art form.
GROUP MENTORING
In partnership with local business owners and professionals, activities are targeted at various age groups. A Group Leader facilitates the adventure’s logistics with staff and runs the day’s event. Recent activities have included hikes, bike rides, skiing and cleaning up public trails.
ENRICHMENT AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
One to One Mentoring collaborates with community organizations throughout the year to enroll youth and contribute to scholarships for after-school activities, sports, music and theatre productions and summer camps. One to One Mentoring also sponsors several recreational activities throughout the year for Matches.
One to One Mentoring is the only organization of its kind in the Telluride region that matches youth with a caring adult who provides a consistent presence in their lives.
“Young people come to the program each with their own unique needs,” said Tara Kelley, Executive Director of the One to One Mentoring Program. “Whether its financial hardship, death in the family, academic struggles, at-risk behavior, emotional challenges, college and career planning, we carefully screen and match local youth who benefit from having a consistent and caring adult in their lives.”
If you believe changing the world (writ large and small) happens one child at a time, then you will support the One to One Mentoring Program by attending its major public fundraiser: the 5th annual Top Chef Competition, a culinary tour of the region paired with fine wine, beer and spirits.The annual event will take place at the Peaks Resort, Mountain Village, Friday, August 15, 5-9 p.m. ( $65/per person.)
“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and a great way to enjoy creative cuisine and libations while supporting the One to One Mentoring Program,” Tara continues. “The event has helped One to One Mentoring in the past to raise much needed funds to continue matching area youth in our area with adult mentors. who can help make a real and positive difference in their lives.”
The Top Chef event, an overview:
The evening takes guests on a culinary tour of the area paired with wines, beer and cocktails.
The Top Chef Competition kicks off at 5:30 p.m. as Eric Eckert from Flavor Telluride competes against Adam Pace from Siam Talay. The winner of the first round then squares off against last year’s winner and defending champion, Dustin Smith, representing the New Sheridan Chop House.
Competitors each receive mystery basket items from which they have 30 minutes to complete their best culinary creation, which will be judged on taste, creativity and presentation.
Judging this year’s competition is celebrity chef Mollie from Trattoria Mollie, an upscale Italian restaurant in Montecito, CA. Chef Mollie has been featured on the Oprah’s Show and in “O” magazine. National Geographic Passport to the Best has recognized Trattoria Mollie as one of the “Ten Best Destination & Special Restaurants in the World.”
Chef Mollie will be joined by former Top Chef Winner Roscoe Kane of Floradora and Ana Coe from Pinacle Beverage Distributors.
During the event, acclaimed musician Tommy Elskes will entertain patrons with his soulful R&B, blues, rock, country and folk hits. Rosie Cusack and Mike Hess will emcee the evening, offering a great overview of the competition, One to One, and the silent auction.
Take a walk down Telluride’s Culinary Row with wine glasses provided by Arroyo and plates provided by Cassidy Ridge during the Taste of Telluride, which features scrumptious delights from Brown Dog, Dupuis Farm, Esperanza’s Tequilas, Flavor, Floradora, Indian Ridge Farms, La Cocina, the Little Bar at Lumiere, Over the Moon, River Club, Rustico, Sawpit Mercantile, Siam Talay, Telluride Conference Center, Telski, Village Table and US Foods.
Guests will have the opportunity to sample wine, beer and spirits from a variety of purveyors from the area including Bottleworks, Last Dollar Saloon, Oskar Blues, Peach Street Distillery, Pinnacle Beverage Distributors, Rocky Mountain Soda, Smugglers, Southern Wine and Spirits, Telluride Brewing Company, and Telski.
And, for those that need a pick-me-up, Tomboy Coffee Roasters will be sampling some of their brews and there will be tasty desserts on hand from Coffee Cowboy, La Cocina, Indian Ridge Farms and Telluride Truffle.
The event tends to sell out. For tickets, go here or call 970-728-0885.
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