The Palmer House Hilton's Executive Chef, Stephen Henry, Wins Judge's Vote for Best Dish at the Inagural Family Counseling Services Food Fight Held Saturday, April 11

CHICAGO –The Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe, is pleased to announce Executive Chef Stephen Henry’s recent “Judges Choice” win with his signature Braised Duck and Jonagold Apple Strudel dish served at the Family Counseling Services Food Fight event, April 11 at Piper Banquets in Aurora . The dish was prepared live on-site alongside eight other premier Chicagoland chefs and presented to the sold out crowd of nearly 300 guest and three judges: Daily Herald Food and Dining Editor Deborah Pankey, Congressman Bill Foster and Senior Minister Gary McCann. Chef George Engel of CityGate Grill in Naperville won the “People’s Choice” award for his Braised Short Ribs and Blue Cheese Gratin and the Master of Ceremonies was CBS 2’s Mike Puccinelli. Other chefs who participated in the event included Chef Mario Garcia (Hilton Chicago), Chef Terell Cole (Dark Horse Pastries, Naperville), Chef Justin Nye (Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, Naperville), Chef Chris Stehlin (Shinto Japanese Steakhouse, Naperville), Chef Amaury Rosado (33 West, Aurora) and Chef Alex Cortez (Basil’s Greek Dining, Naperville). The Palmer House Hilton’s Pastry Chef, Chef Fabrice Francois Bouet, presented an array of hand-crafted desserts following the dinner. For more information on the event visit www.fcsfoodfight.com.

“We’re so thankful to all of the chefs who participated in our ‘FCS Food Fight’ event. We could only name one champion, but tonight our entire community won,” said Family Counseling Service Executive Director Eric Ward. The funds raised at the event support the organizations mental health and youth mentoring services throughout the coming year.

About Family Counseling Service

Family Counseling Service, currently celebrating its 90th anniversary, is a behavioral health provider for children and families, in addition to serving as the Big Brothers Big Sisters agency for Kane and Kendall counties. Family Counseling Service provides a full array of youth mentoring, mental health treatment and substance abuse treatment services to more than 4,000 individuals every year.

About The Palmer House

The legendary AAA four-diamond rated hotel has been hosting visitors to the Chicago Loop for more than 140 years. Today, the Palmer House Hilton continues to thrive in the heart of the theatre and financial district, just steps from the Art Institute, Millennium Park and State Street shopping. A short walk away is Grant Park where summer festivals take place. Family attractions like the Chicago Children’s Museum and Navy Pier are just a quick cab ride away. The hotel features 130,000 sq. ft. of function space with more than 77 meeting rooms, seven ballrooms and two exhibition halls. Lockwood Restaurant & Bar, located just off the lobby, is open throughout the day serving contemporary American cuisine. Small plates and classic cocktails are served in Potter’s. Balance Spa features 14 treatment rooms including hydrotherapy services for the ultimate pampering. The fitness center offers over 10,000 sq. ft. of cardio and free weight equipment, an indoor pool, whirlpool, and saunas.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 94 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company’s portfolio of ten world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,000 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with nearly 672,000 rooms in 90 countries and territories, including Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®.

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