Recipe Contest at Ray's Lets You Be the Judge

Did you use Google the last time you wanted a new dish for your home menu plans? Not so at Ray’s Restaurants. Executive chefs and sous chefs from all three restaurants – Ray’s on the River, Ray’s in the City and Ray’s at Killer Creek – started developing dishes in September to spiff up the menu at Ray’s at Killer Creek. Guests have been trying the new dishes and providing honest feedback. Now, each restaurant’s top appetizer, entrée and side item will be offered at Ray’s at Killer Creek for additional guest testing on Sunday, Monday and Friday of each week through November. Competing chefs include Executive Chef Ugo Okpareke and Sous Chefs Phillip Sullivan and Keith Tomasko from Ray’s in the City, Executive Chef Josh Warner and Sous Chefs Brian Goddard and Adam Mohl from Ray’s on the River and Executive Chef Tracey Bloom from Ray’s at Killer Creek.  On Friday, November 30, the winning chefs and dishes will be announced at a grand reopening party at Ray’s at Killer Creek. There’s more than a menu on the line here as the winning chef will receive a weeklong vacation for two, and chefs placing second and third will receive monetary prizes. 

And the Winner is...Still a Secret! Marlow's Announces Recipe Contest Winner September 8

Earlier this summer during Marlow's Tavern "Red, White and Brew" menu days, grill masters and wannabes took the heat, showing off their grill recipes for the Marlow's Tavern third annual "Get up in Our Grill" recipe contest. Well, it's done and now it's time to party, celebrate the finalists' grill skills and announce the grand prize winner at Marlow's Tavern Dunwoody on Saturday, September 8 from 3 - 5 p.m. 

Executive Chef John C. Metz determined the six finalists. They are Bennie Vann of Roswell and his Kentucky sausage-stuffed pork chops with bourbon-mustard glaze; Kim Youngblood of Lawrenceville and her Asian shrimp sliders; Eddie Sun of Norcross and his Asian dragon wings; Darren Standifer of Cumming and his stuffed roasted poblano pepper; Kevin Stovall of Austell and his spiced turkey burger sliders with smoked gouda and BBQcaramelized onions; and Billy Favara of Marietta and his fire-grilled corn on the cob with basil-Parmesan butter.  

Party attendees can taste complimentary samples of the six winning recipes and enjoy drink specials. Top three winners will be announced at 4 p.m., and Marlow's Tavern staff will dole out a Big Green Egg for the grand prize winner, a $100 Marlow's Tavern gift card for second place, a $50 Marlow's Tavern gift card for third and "Red, White and Brew" limited-edition t-shirts for all winners. There is no charge to attend. 

The newest Marlow's Tavern is located at 1317 Dunwoody Village Parkway, 770-559-7528. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

When The Grillin's Good Get Yourself A Green Egg!

Not to turn up the heat or apply pressure when you're chillin', but if you have one hot grilling recipe, send it in to the Second Annual Marlow's Tavern Grilling Recipe Contest. The contest runs hand in hand with Marlow's summertime "Red, White and Brew" menu. Submit your favorite recipe through July 25 at www.marlowstavern.com or complete an entry form at one of the seven tavern locations. First prize winner bags a Big Green Egg, and his/her winning recipe will be featured on Marlow's Tavern's fall/winter menu. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the winning menu item will be donated in the winner's name to Special Olympics Georgia. Second prize is a $50 Marlow's Tavern gift card, and third prize is a Marlow's Tavern "Red, White and Brew" limited-edition t-shirt. Marlow's Tavern Executive Chef and Co-Founder John C. Metz Jr. will review all recipes, and winners will be announced at the end of August. There's no purchase necessary to enter, and entries are limited to one per person or email address. According to Steve Hartsock, last year's first prize winner, "Marlow's Tavern always provides a fun atmosphere, genuine service and the most incredible American tavern fare around. It goes without saying that it was an honor to be chosen as the Grand Prize winner in the First Annual Marlow's Tavern Grilling Recipe Contest."

Marlow's Tavern: Alpharetta at 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800; Kennesaw at 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777; Midtown at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; Vinings at 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526; Northlake at 4156 LaVista Road, 678-987-1197; Duluth at 1950 Satellite Boulevard, 770-622-2033; and East Cobb at 1311 Johnson Ferry Road (across from the movie theatre and next to Kohl's department store); 770-977-7747.

That special, secret grilling recipe of yours can win you some glory!

Marlow’s knows grilling, but for their 1st Annual Marlow’s Tavern Grilling Recipe Contest they want to hear from you! Submit your recipe by July 26, and you are eligible to win: a Big Green Egg and a spot for your winning recipe in the Fall/Winter menu, and a portion of the proceeds from the sales of your menu item will be donated in your name to Special Olympics Georgia. Second prize winner will win a $50 Marlow’s Tavern gift card and third prize winner will win a Marlow’s Red, White and Brew limited edition t-shirt.

All you have to do is click here and fill out the form. Co-Owner and Executive Chef John Metz will pick the winner and will be announced in August. So grab those skewers and spatulas and get to work. Good luck!

Calling All Chefs

Are people frequently asking to come to your house for dinner? Do you find both neighbors and friends asking for your recipes? If so, submit your tastiest seafood recipe to the Ray's on the River recipe contest. The winner receives dinner for two (value of $250), bragging rights and their recipe as a special entrée served at Ray’s On The River throughout the month of October. The deadline is Monday, September 21 so get those creative vibes flowing and submit your recipe soon! Additional information on the contest can be found on their Facebook page and on Ray's Web site.

Stake Your Claim to Fame By Entering the First-Ever Morton's The Steakhouse Guest Prime Recipe Contest

Calling all cooks! Morton's The Steakhouse will host a Guest Prime Recipe Contest giving any amateur chef or guest of Morton's a shot at creating "The Best Recipe Anywhere." Those are some pretty beefy bragging rights! Not only will the winner have his or her recipe included in the restaurant's upcoming cookbook (to be published by Random House in 2009), they will also win a trip for two to Chicago where they will dine with Morton's The Steak House Co-founder Klaus Fritsch at the original Morton's Steakhouse. The new cookbook, to be published by Random House in 2009, will be a sizzling sequel to the restaurant’s original treasure trove of legendary recipes and grilling secrets, Morton’s Steak Bible.

Recipes need to be submitted by June 2 so get a move on. For more contest rules click here. Klaus Fritsch himself will head up the panel of experts in reviewing recipes submitted for beef, chicken or seafood entrees; appetizers; salads; sauces; marinades and dressings; soups; side dishes; desserts ;and cocktails.

This year, Morton’s 79 steakhouses and 5,000 employees around the globe are celebrating the restaurant’s 30th anniversary. Join the celebration at both Atlanta Morton’s The Steakhouse locations. Buckhead: Peachtree Lenox Building at 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535. Downtown: 303 Peachtree Center Avenue in the SunTrust Plaza Building; 404-577-4366.