Local chefs face off to benefit Charities' new Lynn food pantry

DANVERS -- Three noted regional chefs competed in a one-of-a-kind cook-off in Danvers, Sept. 14, in support of Catholic Charities North's Friends Feeding Families campaign and the new Catholic Charities Food Pantry in Lynn.

The chefs participating Catholic Charities' "Hunger Chopped" event included David Titus, Clubhouse general manager of the Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead; Brian Santos, executive chef for the Questrom School of Business at Boston University and competitor on Season 13 of "Hell's Kitchen"; and Michael Pantano, regional head chef of The Cheesecake Factory.

The event is styled after the popular Food Network program "Chopped," which features chefs using a set of ingredients provided in a mystery bag.

At the Catholic Charities event, the three chefs went face to face in a 30-minute competition in which they created a dish using exclusively ingredients found at a Catholic Charities food pantry.

Chef Titus came away with the victory.

The programs at Catholic Charities North (CCN) aim to prevent hunger and homelessness for local families in a financial emergency, engage youth and adults in education and employment programs focused on long-term solutions to poverty, and support families in their effort to build safe, nurturing environments for children.

As part of the Friends Feeding Families campaign, proceeds from this event will fund the new Catholic Charities Food Pantry at 585 Boston Street in Lynn. The pantry, opening in 2018, will extend the reach of CCN's mission to a greater number individuals and families in need of assistance not only in Lynn, but in surrounding communities north of Boston.