Chef Michael Blackwell of North Hills Club Wins Seventh Annual Cooking for the Kids Chef Competition

Overflowing Hands awards Chef Michael Blackwell the grand prize of $10,000 for winning the finale after three rounds of competition.

Raleigh, NC - March 6, 2025 - Rocky Top Catering announces Chef Michael Blackwell of North Hills Club as the seventh annual Cooking for the Kids winner. After three rounds of extensive cooking and extraordinary dishes, Blackwell was voted to take home the grand prize of $10,000. He competed against and cooked alongside Chef Ryan Grimm of Watersview Restaurant as they both utilized Patuxent Farms Bacons, Butternut Squash, Smoked Paprika, and Star Anise which were the secret ingredients of the evening. Although Blackwell went home as the winner, Grimm brought home the second place prize of $3,000. 

Cooking for the Kids raised over $200,000 for Overflowing Hands and King’s Ridge. Overflowing Hands is a volunteer-led 501c3 organization serving the most vulnerable children in our neighborhoods, across the United States, and around the world. King’s Ridge is a 100-unit community for families and individuals moving out of homelessness.

Photo Credit: Magdalena Stefanek Photography

Chef Michael Blackwell’s Dishes From the Finale

Finale

Appetizer: Peppered Bacon Arancini

Main Course: Hoisin Glazed Flank

Steak

Dessert: Peanut Butter & Bacon

Fluffernutter

Cooking for the Kids thanks this year’s sponsors as 100% net proceeds benefit Overflowing Hands and King’s Ridge. This year’s sponsors include Rocky Top Catering, US Foods, Beefeater Gin, Curated Events, CINTAS, DJ Rang, Empire Distributors, Kahlua, Magdalena Stefanek Photography, MoJo Performance Partners, Olmeca Altos, Once Gathered, Pepsi, Percard Ricard, Tabletop Media Group, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Trophy Brewing.