(Le Mars) — 28 different teams competed Saturday evening for the best tasting food and the best theme during the sixth annual MenuMasters event hosted by LEEP, (Le Mars Educational Enhancement Project) and held at the Century Hall at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. In the end, everyone had an enjoyable evening with plenty of great tasting food, creative costumes and decor, and with more than 500 attendees. Although separate awards were given, the real winner from the evening’s events is the Le Mars Community School District. LEEP, through the MenuMasters event, was able to raise $44,420 which will go to the school to help teachers purchase needed textbooks, tablets, computers, and other needed supplies. LEEP was started a few years back when a group of women decided to raise money to purchase textbooks when they realized the school funding had been reduced due to state budget cutbacks.
Julie Bietelspacher, a founding member of the LEEP organization and treasurer, was honored with the “Legacy of Giving” award. Bietelspaher has been instrumental with the success of the LEEP organization, as well with the annual MenuMasters fund raising event.
Dr. Steven Webner, superintendent of schools for the Le Mars Community School District, accepted the check on behalf of the school, and he thanked the LEEP organization, the teams of chefs, sponsors, and all the attendees of the MenuMasters for making it another successful and fun event.
Winning the Best Appetizer Award was given to Austin Sitzmann and Tyler Utesch representing EXIT reality with their version of “Shrooms on the House.” Best Side Dish was awarded to Schmidt Farms and Seed Inc. with Adam and Kyle Schmidt featuring “Maized and Confused.” Chefs Mark Narkon and Mike Jacobsma from ICON Ag and Turf won the Best Main Dish with “Iconic Teri Beef.” The Best Dessert Award was presented to the members of Primebank, consisting of chefs Jordan Sitzmann, Cole Sitzmann, and Mark Schmidt with “Primebank’s Proper Pick Pastry.” Primbank was also the winner of the people’s choice for Best Food, having won the award three times during the six years of MenuMasters. Another three-time winner was the team from Floyd Valley Healthcare consisting of Dr. Andrew Geha and Dr. Paul Parmelee with “Oh Baby…We Deliver, Fresh Doo Due Diapers. The two physicians were representing the O.B. unit at Floyd Valley with Dr. Geha dressed as a very pregnant woman and Dr. Parmelee was dressed as a stork. Their booth featured balloons that looked like pacifiers. Winning the Judges’s Choice was the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department with their “Backdraft BBQ Smoke Eater Ribs. Chefs included Firefighters Charlie Mohning and Kevin Bolton with assistance by Austin Mohning.
Best Food Entry – Primebank – Mark Schmidt, Cole Sitzmann, and Jordon Sitzmann.
Best Theme – Floyd Valley Healthcare – Dr. Andrew Geha and Dr. Paul Parmelee.
Judge’s Choice – Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, Andrew Mohning, Kevin Bolton, and Charlie Mohning.
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