IRON CHEF IN THE NEWS!

2023

Iron Chef Competition Team Winner

Team R – Mike Martino, Adelphia Seafood Corporate Chef/Director of Production & Food Safety

and student chefs Tyler Cressman and Zyana Miranda

Rustic Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

People’s Choice Winner (Common Ingredient: Honey)

Daniel Montano & Pal Bovenzi, The Berkshire Country Club

Shrimp n’ Grits. Beer & Honey Glazed Cabbage, Blackened Shrimp, Cheddar Grits, Shrimp Gravy

People’s Choice Runner Up

Judy Nguyen, Vietnamese Delights

Grilled Pork Banh Mi Bites (Vietnamese Sandwich) seasoned with honey

2023 Wilson Iron Chef Team Champions!

Congratulations Team R – Chef Mike Martino and student chefs Tyler Cressman and Zyana Miranda

2023 People’s Choice Winner & Runner Up!

Congratulations to The Berkshire Country Club chosen as the People’s Choice favorite with their Shrimp n’Grits, and Vietnamese Delights for winning runner-up with their Grilled Pork Banh Mi Bites!

We are so thankful to all the restaurants that participated in Vendor Lane and People’s Choice at this year’s event. Over 850 people attended and had the opportunity to sample all the tasty treats and creations! What a fun, family-friendly day bringing our community together!! Can’t wait for Iron Chef 2024!!!

2019

Iron Chef Competition Winner

Mike Martino, Adelphia Seafood Corporate Chef/Director of Production & Food Safety & with Sous Chef Craig Manser

Polynesian Surf and Turf. A Macadamia nut crested Pork, Coconut Curry sauce, Salted Caramel butternut squash and pineapple fritter with Tuna Poke.

Iron Chef Competition Runner Up

People’s Choice Winner (Common Ingredient: Cocoa)

Adelphia Seafood, Reading, PA

Mocha Dry Rubbed Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

People’s Choice Runner Up

Still Playin’ Distillery/Road House 61, Orwigsburg, PA

 Congratulations to Mike Martino & Sous Chef Craig Manser of Adelphia – 2019 Wilson Iron Chef Champion and Winner of People’s Choice Competition! 

Wilson Eduction Foundation, March 25, 2019: Mike Martino, Corporate Chef and Director of Production and Food Safety for Adelphia Seafood, won the Iron Chef competition for the second year in a row at the Wilson Iron Chef Competition and Benefit Auction on Sunday, March 24 2019. He also won first place in the People’s Choice competition, beating out seven other area restaurants. For his wins, Martino will be invited to compete in the Iron Chef competition again next year. Still Playin’ Distillery of Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, was runner-up in the People’s Choice competition and will be invited to compete in the Iron Chef competition next year.

Berks County Eats, March 25 & 26, 2019: The sixth annual Wilson Iron Chef competition was held on March 24, and Berks County Eats was there to get a taste of the best Berks County has to offer. Read Here: Part 1 | Part 2

Adelphia Seafood, March 26, 2019:

Everyone loves being a part of the Wilson Iron Chef Event! 

Doorstep Dairy, April 2, 2019  | Huge thanks to Kreider Farms for hooking us up with their delicious chocolate milk for Wilson Iron Chef Competition last weekend
	Wilson School District, March 24, 2019 | It was another successful Iron Chef Event! Congratulations to Adelphia Seafood Chef Mike Martino and Chef Craig Manser for being named both the 2019 Wilson Iron Chef and People’s Choice winners! #WilsonSD
Adelphia, March 24, 2019 | Congratulations Adelphia Seafood! We did it again. Chef Martino and Craig Manser. 2019 Peoples Choice and 2019 Wilson Iron Chef Winners! Thank you for supporting Adelphia Seafood. #berkscounty#berkscountyeats#seafood#chef

	P.J. Whelihan’s Pub + Restaurant, March 24, 2019 | Great time today at the Wilson Iron Chef Competition and Auction!! We were thrilled to be a part of this event and to support the Wilson Education Foundation. We look forward to next time! #pjsdoesitbetter Wilson High School (Spring Township, Pennsylvania)
Lindsay Calpino is with Trina McCarthy Kellenberger at Wilson High School (Spring Township, Pennsylvania), March 24, 2019 | Chef Competition!! Seriously some of the best samples of food I have ever had. My vote went to Crowne Plaza. (I ate theirs before I took the pic )
	Moe’s Southwest Grill of Reading, March 24, 2019 | visit us from 12-3pm at WILSON IRON CHEF! We are providing samples of our new mojo chicken in a mini burrito bowl!
Jackie M Hoffman is attending 2019 Wilson Iron Chef Competition & Benefit Auction, March 24, 2019 | 2019 Wilson Iron Chef. Come on out on this beautiful day ! FOOD TASTINGS, LIVE AND SILENT AUCTIONS, IRON CHEF AND PEOPLES CHOICE COMPETITIONS PLUS MUSICAL PERFORMANCES FROM STUDENTS. Proceeds benefit Wilson Education Foundation. Food Booths 1pm-3pm. Iron chef Competition 3pm-5pm
	The Matt Wolf Team, March 24, 2019 | sponsors of Wilson’s Iron Chef! What a wonderful event put together by Wilson’s Education Foundation. We are stuffed!! @ Wilson High School (Spring Township, Pennsylvania)
Good Life Organic Kitchen, March 24, 2019 | Wilson Iron Chef competition representing!
	Wilson Southern PTO, March 24, 2019
Shillington Grocery Outlet, March 24, 2019 |Come see us at the Wilson Iron Chef Competition! Enjoy some snacks, get a couple of coupons and enter to win gift cards!
	We’re at Wilson School District Iron Chef at the Wilson High School with special artist guest of honor Steve Fabian! Stop out for some delicious food! Wilson Art Rocks!
Jackie M Hoffman is with Craig Manser and Mike Martino in Whitfield, Pennsylvania, March 20, 2019 |Adelphia Seafood is super excited to hold the title of “WINNERS” of the 2018 Iron Chef Competition at Wilson High School. This Sunday we hope to see you again and Win With an amazing team of Mike & Craig! You can stop by and enjoy our Mocha Dry Rubbed Bacon Wrapped Shrimp!
The Matt Wolf Team, March 24, 2019 | We are proud sponsors of Wilson’s Iron Chef competition! Get your tickets today for this outstanding event! Brad Weisman, March 18, 2019 | Come see me as a FOOD Judge this Sunday at the Wilson Iron Chef Competition!! Support this awesome event!! Go online for tickets!! Gourmand Cafe, March 14, 2019 | March 24th join Gourmand at the Wilson Iron Chef competition! Chef Mitchell Kriebel and our Wonderful Baker Ben Wissinger will be competing for the title!!!! Sweet Ride Ice Cream, LLC, March 24, 2019 | Wilson Iron Chef!

2018

Berks County Eats, March 12, 2018  | The fifth annual Wilson Iron Chefcompetition was held on Sunday, March 11, 2018. The event pitted three of the area’s top chefs against each other in a timed competition. Chef Mike Martino, representing Adelphia Seafood, earned the victory over Chef Ben Hinkle of Ganly’s Irish Pub & Restaurant and Chef Martha Cavarretta of Giannotti’s Berkshire. Each of the chefs had to incorporate four ingredients in their plate: duck breast, lentils, bananas and movie theater popcorn.

In the People’s Choice competition, seven restaurants were competing for two spots in next year’s Iron Chef competition. All seven competitors had to incorporate apples into their featured dish. The Hitching Post earned first place with its filet Mignon crostini. Adelphia Seafood took second place with its cheddar apple bisque with crab and bacon.

Reading Magazine, March 11, 2018 | It was great seeing everyone at the Wilson School District Iron Chef Competition! Congratulations to Chef Mike Martino of Adelphia Seafood on being named the 2018 Wilson Iron Chef! #Ganly’s Irish Pub & Restaurant #Giannotti’s Berkshire.

Doorstep Dairy, February 1, 2018 | Throwback to Wilson High School (Spring Township, Pennsylvania) Iron Chef 2015! : Donn Shires

Wilson School District, March 9, 2018 | Join us for this year’s Iron Chef event and watch 3 amazing local chefs face off for the title of 2018 Iron Chef! Iron Chef will be held on Sunday, March 11 from 1-5 pm at Wilson High School. All proceeds benefit the Wilson Education Foundation. For details, visit www.wilsonsd.org/ironchef . #IronChef2018 #wilsonSD

Wilson School District, March 11, 2018 | Congratulations to Chef Mike Martino of Adelphia Seafood on being named the 2018 Wilson Iron Chef! #WilsonIronChef2018 #WilsonSD

Ganly’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, March 11, 2018 | We had so much fun competing in Wilson’s Iron Chef and supporting the Wilson Education Foundation. Congrats to our friends at the Hitching Post and Adelphia, this year’s Iron Chef and People’s Choice Winners! Benjamin Hinkel, Sean Davies, Megan Brower

Adelphia Seafood, March 11, 2018 | Congrats to Chef Martino and Manser! Named Wilson’s Iron Chef 2018! And…. People’s Choice First Runner up!

Michelle Ward, March 11, 2018 | delicious samples of local restaurants at Iron Chef Competition. Great fundraiser for the Wilson Education Foundation

Shillington Grocery Outlet, March 11, 2018 👉 If you’re at the #Wilson Iron Chef Competition make sure to say hi to Kellinae and I

Adelphia, March 12, 2018 | Adelphia Seafood Wins The Wilson Iron Chef Competition

Doorstep Dairy, March 12, 2018 | Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth yesterday Wilson Iron Chef 2018!

Wilson School District, March 12, 2018 | We are so happy with the outcome of Wilson Iron Chef and wanted to share some of our favorite memories from yesterday’s fundraising event! #WilsonSDWilson School District

Wilson School District, March 24, 2018 | Although Iron Chef was a few weeks ago we would like to take the time now to Congratulate George Zeppos of the Hitching Post Restaurant for winning the 2018 People’s Choice award! His winning dish was a Filet crostini with apple Boursin spread topped with smoked balsamic glaze and micro greens! #WilsonSD #IronChef2018

Deliciously glutenfreedom, May 5, 2018 | #Gluten free delivery this week has nutter fluffer cupcakes, cinnamon bun cakes, and fabulous cream soda cakes , try the cream soda cakes they are fantastic ( I sampled this cake at the wilson iron chef and everyone gluten free or not loved it ! ) Have a great weekend!

2017

Berks County Eats, March 27, 2017 | The fourth annual Wilson Iron Chef competition was held on Sunday, March 26. The event pitted three of the area’s top chefs against each other in a timed competition. Chef Josh Haines of Jimmie G’s Beverly Hills Tavern earned the victory over Chef Tim Twiford of the Crowne Plaza and Chef Mike Rauenzahn of the Bernville Eagle Hotel. Each of the chefs had to incorporate four ingredients in their dish: sausage, red cabbage, Greek yogurt and cheese curls.

In the People’s Choice competition, nine restaurants were competing for two spots in next year’s Iron Chef competition. All nine competitors had to incorporate cheese into their featured dish. Don’s Food Products & Melanie’s Medley’s earned first place with its Champagne and Gouda bisque. Second place went to Ganley’s for its smoked bacon and Gorgonzola stuffed dates with spicy Jameson glaze.

Also part of the day again this year was vendor row with more than 20 vendors offering samples of their foods and products. Check out our photo gallery to see some of the highlights of this year’s competition…

Reading Magazine, March 28, 2017 | Chefs test their skills in 4th annual Wilson Iron Chef Competition

Mike Martino, March 25, 2017 | Wonder what happens when you mix these things together? Stop out tomorrow at the Wilson Iron Chef Competition and see! I’ll be competing in the people’s choice competition, so you can visit me and my little helper and try our recipe.

Ganly’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, March 26, 2017 | Congrats to our very own chef Benjamin Hinkel for an awesome job at the Wilson Iron Chef fundraiser!

Adelphia Seafood, March 26, 2017 | Participating in the Wilson Iron Chef! Wish us well!

Grandview Gallery, March 26, 2017 | Come say hi at Wilson Bulldogs Iron Chef! We’ll be here 12-3pm! With special guest Andrea Perno!

Steph Kocher Wilson School Board Director, March 26, 2017 | Just volunteered at the Iron Chef Competition at Wilson High School (Spring Township, Pennsylvania)! A great time for the community to come together and enjoy delicious, local food. — at Wilson School District.

Reading Fightin Phils, March 26, 2017 | We had a great time today at the Wilson Iron Chef competition! Thank you to Herr’s for donating the popcorn.

Sweet Ride Ice Cream, March 26, 2017 | Always great to be a part of the Wilson Iron Chef Competition & Benefit Auction!

Lake Wynonah Lodge, March 26, 2017 | Go chef Troy and crew @ Wilson Iron Chef!!

Moe’s Southwest Grill of Reading, March 26, 2017  | Enjoyed our time at the Wilson Iron Chef event! Thanks to everyone who stopped by our stand for a yummy mini burrito We hope you enjoyed it!!

The Berkshire Country Club, March 27, 2017 |  Culinary team killing it at Wilson High School Iron Chef event on Sunday! Awesome Showing!!

Best Bites TV, March 29, 2017 | Great Time at the Wilson Iron Chef 2017!! Thanks to https://www.facebook.com/readingmagazine for the pics!!

Mickey Baines, March 29, 2017 | Brad Weisman and I had a great time emceeing the Wilson Iron Chef competition Sunday. Co-hosting a foodie show does have a few perks…

2016

Reading Eagle, April 9, 2016 | Wilson Iron Chef competition set for Sunday at high school

Reading Eagle, April 11, 2016 | Owner of H20 Kitchen retains Wilson Iron Chef crown

Jeffrey Lee Colon, April 10, 2016 | Jeffrey Lee Colon, April 10, 2016 | Here with Team Reading Health System for the Wilson Iron Chef Competition

Elite Fire & Water Restoration, April 10, 2016 | #wilsonironchef

Doorstep Dairy, April 10, 2016 | Had fun seeing everyone at Wilson Iron Chef 2016 today!

Michelle Ward, April 10, 2016 | #Wilson Iron Chef

Maureen Callahan Krall is with Jessica Flores and 2 others at Wilson High School Iron Chef at Wilson!!, April 10, 2016 | Mikaela had a set here is one of her songs with Nick!!! Never Let Me Go!!!

I-Form Fitness Studio, April 10, 2016 | We were a proud sponsor of Wilson Iron Chef today. A great event with excellent food! Congratulations to Chef Tim and his team for winning the people’s choice award!

Sheila Contento, April 10, 2016 | Wilson Iron Chef competition cheering on our Crowne Plaza boys!! — with Matthew Frasso and 8 others at Wilson High School (Spring Township, Pennsylvania).

Paolo’s Restaurant & Bar, April 11, 2016 | We all had a wonderful time at the Wilson Iron Chef event yesterday! It’s great to see the community all get together to support Wilson education!

2015

At the 2nd annual Wilson Iron Chef Competition, three competing chefs were challenged with incorporating four secret ingredients into their dishes-turkey loin, patty pan squash, quinoa, and gummy worms-revealed to them right before starting the 35-minute competition. Fresh items from the provided pantry supplemented the competitor’s culinary creations. Winning Chef Jason Hook from h20 Kitchen used the gummy worms as part of a sweet potato puree that wowed the judges and set him apart from the other competitors. Second place went to Chef David Shefter of the Penn Warner Hotel, followed by Raffaele Grande from GNA Ristorante.

Reading Eagle, March 23, 2015 | Iron chefs create culinary magic with gummy worms at Wilson High School

Berks County Eats, March 27, 2015 | The Wilson Education Foundation held its second annual Wilson Iron Chef competition on Sunday, March 22. Berks County Eats was there among the sold out crowd of more than 800 hungry patrons, all of whom got to sample food from more than 40 vendors and enjoy a friendly, but intense, culinary competition.

Kathleen McLean Politzer, February 16, 2015 | Wilson Iron Chef Competition – March 22! This is a great event!

Berks County Living, March 9, 2015 | Are you a food fan? If you answered “Yes!” then you MUST grab tickets to the 2nd Annual Wilson Iron Chef Competition planned for March 22 from 1-5pm in the high school gymnasium. Enjoy fabulous foods from more than 40 area restaurants, bid in a live auction or simply buy a raffle ticket for a chance at a prize and watch local chefs face off. For more info and tickets call 610.670.0180, ext. 4842 or visit www.WilsonSD.org/IronChef.

Berks County Living, March 20, 2015 | Lots of unique things to do this weekend. I can’t wait for the Wilson Iron Chef & Benefit Auction event on Sunday!

Best Bites TV, March 22, 2015 | I had a great time MC’ing the 2nd Annual Wilson Iron Chef Competition!! SOLD OUT Crowd!! – Brad W.

Sweet Ride Ice Cream, LLC, March 22, 2015 |  was a packed house today at the Wilson Iron Chef Competition! Thank you to everyone who stopped by to see us! It was so nice to hear the good things about the ice cream we serve – very delicious and so creamy!! Great to be a part of such a wonderful event to benefit the Wilson Education Foundation!

G.N.A. Ristorante, March 22, 2015 |  you to everyone who came out and supported us at Wilson Iron Chef 2015. What a great experience!

Kristin Catherine, March 22, 2015 | Iron Chef competition. Love this fundraiser. — at Wilson High School (Spring Township, Pennsylvania.

Elevation Burger, March 22, 2015 | Wilson Iron Chef Competition with our very own Ray W Metzger II! #NoCompetition

East West Kitchen East, March 22, 2015 | West Kitchen at the Wilson High School Iron Chef event. We’re handling out samples and everything was well received!

phoebe’s pure food, March 22, 2015 | Here are my judging teammates and the dishes! What a great event to support the school. It was an honor to be asked.  I’ll detail the judges and competitors below.

Competitors:

• Chef Raffaele Cirandine & Massimo Grande, Sous Chef, G.N.A. Ristorante
• Chef Jason Hook, H20 Kitchen
• Chef David Shefter, Owner/Chef Penn Werner Hotel & Defending Wilson Iron Chef Champion

Judges:

• Mike Kratz, Executive Chef at the The Highlands at Wyomissing 
• Phoebe Canakis, regional food writer & photographer
• Tom Delcamp, Vice President & Acting Director of Culinary Arts, The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College 
• Lauren Minnich (live auction winner) owner of ATA Martial Arts See less

Paolo’s Restaurant & Bar, March 23, 2015 | We had a great time at the Wilson Iron Chef Competition! It’s great to see the community all come together to support Wilson education!

Bernville Eagle Hotel, March 23, 2015 | Thank you to all that came out to the Wilson Iron Chef yesterday. We did not win the people’s choice with our Miss Sweet Peas’ Flan, but it was a great experience and we meet a lot of new people that we hope to see in the near future. Thank you again Wilson Iron Chef for inviting us to participate in your fund raiser for the School.

2014

During the inaugural Wilson Iron Chef Competition on Sunday, April, 6, 2014, the three competing chefs used the three secret ingredients — center-cut pork loin, chayote squash and half-blood oranges – revealed to them just moments before the competition along with using fresh items from a provided pantry to cook a protein and two sides in 35 minutes. Chef David Shefter, owner and chef at Penn Werner Hotel in Wernersville, was named Wilson 2014 Iron Chef Champion for his Mexican-rub pork roast with a blood orange demi-glaze, served with an arugula, pear and goat cheese salad, and a vegetable latke made from squash, broccoli and asiago cheese. Second place went to Chef Joseph Church, executive chef at the Peanut Bar in Reading and owner of Black Dog Café in Womelsdorf, for his pork scallopini with sautéed morel mushrooms and truffle butter, served with julienned chayota and yellow squash and a Mediterranean couscous splashed with the blood-orange juice. Chef Felix Maeitta, managing partner at ViVA Bistro & Lounge in Wyomissing, finished third for his pan-roasted pork loin with a honey and blood-orange glaze, served with a potato, squash and chorizo sausage hash and sautéed asparagus.

Reading Eagle, April 7, 2014 | Iron Chef event cooks up big profit for Wilson

Berks County Eats, April 18, 2014 | On April 6, the Wilson Education Foundation hosted its first Iron Chef competition in the gym at Wilson High School. The event, which saw chefs from three local restaurants compete in the Iron Chef battle, was a huge success. More than 500 hungry patrons came to watch the competition and sample items from more than 40 food industry vendors, including restaurants, caterers, bakeries, dairies and farms.

Best Bites TV, April 1, 2014 | We have our tickets to the weekend’s premier food event, the Wilson Iron Chef Competition. Do you have yours? Get them here: http://www.wilsonsd.org/ironchef

Jason Hook, April 5, 2014 | Getting ready for tomorrow’s Iron Chef event and People’s Choice awards @ Wilson High! Starts @ 1pm and tickets are available at the door.. if you haven’t purchased tickets already please come out and support; they did an AMAZING job setting this all up and can’t wait to see everybody tomorrow 🙂 — with Robyn Jones and 4 others at Wilson High School.

Jason Hook, April 6, 2014 | First Place!!! H2O Kitchen won People’s Choice awards today @ Wilson High! GREAT job team! It was a blast judging the Iron Chef competition, as well.  Looking forward to next year! — with Robyn Jones and 5 others at Wilson High School.

G.N.A. Ristorante, April 6, 2014 | Come check us out at Wilson’s Iron  Chef Event!

ROG Orthodontics, April 6, 2014 | Come and check out the Wilson Iron Chef event today at Wilson High School from 1-5. We are here snappin’ away with our photo booth! Bring ur fantastic smiles and leave your appetites at home! See you there 🙂

Barbara DeLeon, April 6, 2014 | Was at The Iron Chef at Wilson High School… People RAVED about SOLUDE Air Roasted Coffee!! I love my Job! I Love seeing people’s reaction when they taste how smooth it is…and NO Bitter aftertaste!! — feeling excited.

Doorstep Dairy, April 6, 2014 | Fun day giving samples chocolate milk at Wilson High Iron Chef competition.

Pat Magaloa, April 7, 2014 | wilson’s iron chef event yesterday looked to be a success. never saw sooooo much food and people enjoying all of it. there was almost too much food to try–really could not try everything.  hope they do this again next year.

Kristin Lynn, April 7, 2014 | Thank you to the amazing people who served on the first Wilson Bulldogs Iron Chef Competition & Benefit Auction committee with me! I could not have done it without you: Robyn Jones, Jen Crocona, Kadie Reichardt, Mary Jo Dunn, Kevin Parks, Peggy Umbenhauer & Al Wicks! And thank you to all the volunteers who assisted and businesses/restaurants that participated! Congratulations to the winners: Iron Chef Champion David Shefter, Owner, Penn Werner Hotel! People’s Choice Champion … See more

Wilson School District, April 7, 2014 | Congratulations to the winner of Wilson’s first Iron Chef Competition: Chef David Shefter, owner, Penn Werner Hotel! Chef Jason Hook, H2O Kitchen, was named People’s Choice Champion, with G.N.A. Ristorante as the runner-up! The 3 will compete in next year’s event. The Wilson Education Foundation thanks the amazing Iron Chef committee for all their hard work, all the participating vendors and restaurants and the many students and volunteers who helped make it a successful community event! To read more about the event, please check out the article in today’s Reading Eagle in the Berks & Beyond section!

Paolo’s Restaurant & Bar, April 9, 2014 | We were a Proud vendor at Wilson’s 1st Iron Chef Competition & Benefit Auction!

2601 Grandview Blvd., West Lawn, PA 19609 | 610.670.0180, ext. 5999