Taste of Tri-Lakes Cares took place at Spruce Mountain Events, Larkspur, on May 15, where a dozen chefs went whisk-to-whisk for bragging rights. The eatery teams were given a selection of food items typically found at the Tri-Lakes Cares food pantry. Their mission: to create tasty dishes to tempt the taste buds of the more than 450 attendees.

The chef boxes were outfitted with foods such as canned green beans, carrots, black beans, tomato sauce, brown rice, saltine crackers, jerky, Kewpie mayo, mac ‘n cheese mix, chocolate-covered coffee beans, candy corn mix, Ritz crackers and Sour Patch candy.

The resulting creations were varied and quite interesting. For the most part, it was an amazing feat to concoct something edible, but all the chefs managed to make flavorful dishes.

To sort the best of show, there was a panel of celebrity judges including Matthew Schniper, independent food journalist; Ruth Marks, CEO of Mountain View Electric Association; and yours truly. Attendees voted for their favorite dish to select the People’s Choice.

Contestants included Taste of Life Natural Market & Prepared Meals, Jackson Creek Senior Living, Uva Wine Bar, Texas Roadhouse, (Monument), O’Malley’s, Papa’s Italian, Bethesda Gardens (Monument), Local Landing, Pho Brothers II, Dave & Busters, P.F. Chang’s, Wesley Owens Coffee and Café, and My Neighbor Felix Mexican Kitchen.

The judge’s winners were:

• First place – Uva Wine Bar.

• Second place – a tie between Jackson Creek Senior Living and Bethesda Gardens.

• Third place – O’Malleys.

The People’s Choice winners were:

• Bethesda Gardens.

• Jackson Creek Senior Living.

• O’Malley’s.

Tri-Lakes Cares is a community-based, volunteer-supported resource center whose purpose is to improve people’s lives through self-sufficiency and relief programs, according to its website. In addition to a foodbank, the nonprofit also provides assistance with rent, utilities and medical care. For more information, go to tri-lakescares.org.

Day tripper

Gaylord Rockies Resort, 6700 N. Gaylord Rockies Blvd., Aurora, is beginning its endless summer entertainment through Sept. 2. Of note are a few new culinary events to consider checking out.

Here’s a look:

• Old Hickory restaurant’s Master French Wine Class — For $50 you get a one-hour, adults-only experience, with wine experts at the resort who guide you through a variety of wines paired perfectly with cheese. The classes are at 3 p.m. on the following Saturdays; June 1, June 15, June 29, July 13, July 27, Aug. 10, and Aug. 24.

• The Fortunate Prospector bar’s British Beer Tasting — For $25 you will sample three classic British-inspired beer cocktails — Half and Half, Snake Bite and Shandy — and learn the history of these unique British drinks. The classes are 4-5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.

• Old Hickory’s Master Cocktail Class — For $50 you will have an hour of delving into the world of mixology, then craft two cocktails alongside master bartenders. The classes are at 3 p.m. on the following Saturdays: June 8, June 22, July 6, July 20, Aug. 3, Aug. 17 and Aug. 31.

Coffee all day every day

Whataburger has debuted new hot or iced coffees with an updated hot coffee blend. The beverages are available 24 hours a day. That means no more coffee desert that exists after midnight in most cities. The drinks can be enjoyed black or flavored with choice of sweet cream, vanilla, caramel or mocha.

Contact the writer: 636-0271.