Iron Chef 2025 Exceeds its Goal / Announces 2025 "People's Choice Award for Best Appetizer in Marshfield"

MARSHFIELD, WI – The 2025 Iron Chef Committee is proud to announce that Shirley's House of Hope has surpassed its $98,000 goal and raised $123,000! We would also like to announce that the "2025 People's Choice Award for Best Appetizer in Marshfield" is the Crostini with Whipped Feta Cheese, Jalapeno Jelly and Prosciutto, created by Chef Katie McDaniel from The Hideout.

"The Iron Chef just gets better every year," said Executive Director Julie Cravillion. "Thank you to everyone who participated and attended. It's a blessing to be a part of the mission at Shriley's House of Hope."

The Iron Chef competition was held Thursday, November 6th at 5:30pm at Hotel Marshfield. Each chef was presented with a "Surprise Protein" which was a bone-in pork chop. The chefs were given 15 minutes to make a plan, and they had 30 minutes to create and present their creations. Each chef won a trophy:

BEST FLAVOR

• Chef Rob Arndt from Vila's Farm to Table Mobile Food Service & Catering
• Pan-Seared Pork Chop with Garlic Redskin Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Cauliflower and a Miso Honey Sauce

BEST PRESENTATION

• Chef Bryan Rank from KamBray's Mobile Restaurant
• Seared Honey Pork Chops with Jasmine Rice and a side of Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts

MOST CREATIVE

• Chef Adam Winer from The Daily Special Food Truck
• Seared Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Chop over a Bed of Garlic Honey Rice, Stuffed with Winter Vegetables with Gochujang Sauce

SHOWMANSHIP

• Chef Katie McDaniel from The Hideout
• Herb Mix Pork Chop and Savory Potatoes and Asparagus

2025 is the 17th year we've held the Annual Iron Chef fundraiser for Shirley's House of Hope. The event kicked off with a silent auction (which was open to the public) that started October 20th and concluded November 6th during the event. For the "People's Choice Award for Best Appetizer," each chef disclosed their appetizer prior to the event and created enough for each guest to taste test. Each guest then had the opportunity to fill out a ballot and cast his/her vote. While Chef Katie won this year (with her Crustini), it was undoubtedly a difficult choice with the other options:

• Chef Rob: Roasted Cauliflower with Yogurt Sauce, Chile Oil and Teardrop Peppers served with Garlic Pita
• Chef Bryan: Peach Bourbon BBQ Meatballs
• Chef Adam: Surf & Turf Stuffed Mushroom Caps

At the beginning of dinner, the chefs were presented with the "surprise protein" and was tasked with the challenge of preparing a dish for our panel of judges: Everett Mueller, City of Marshfield Fire Department Chief; Nicolas Kumm, Marshfield Utilities General Manager; and Natasha Tompkins, City of Marshfield District 3 Common Council Member. The rest of our guests enjoyed a plated meal from Hotel Marshfield followed by a slice of cheesecake from 2 ½ Cups!

Lastly, we held our Fund-a-Need Live Auction where former "students" (women) gave testimonies about their experiences with Shirley's House of Hope, and our auctioneer raised money at five different giving levels. Overall, we were able to raise $123,000, which includes donations, pledges, in-kind contributions, sponsorships, ticket sales and our silent auction.

We cannot do this important work without the help of many volunteers and donors! We would like to thank the following:

• Hotel Marshfield
• Paster Nate Smith, Prayer
• Pat Sternitzky, Emcee
• Todd Anderson, Auctioneer
• Tom Loucks & Angie Houghton, Videographers
• Kaitlyn Schrock, Photographer
• The Flower Studio, Event Decor
• Premier Printing, Chef Signs
• Stratford Sign Co., Event Banner
• Heinzen Printing, Program Printing
• Iron Chef Committee Members and Volunteers
• Silent Auction Donors
• Board of Directors
• Peggy Sue Behselich, Hub City Times Presents
• Our Students, Past & Present
• Shirley's House of Hope Staff

We would also like to give a final "shoutout" to our sponsors as well:

• Take a Stand Sponsor - $5,000: Central Wisconsin Broadcasting, Inc.
• Platinum Sponsors - $2,500: Hotel Marshfield and Marshfield Clinic
• Gold Sponsors - $1,250: B&I Lumber, Nelson-Jameson Foundation, Inc., NRG Media, R&R Flooring & Furniture, LLC, and The Flower Studio
• Silver Sponsors - $600: 89Q, Citizens State Bank of Loyal, Festival Foods, First Choice Credit Union, Forward Bank, Gross Auto Group Hay Creek Pallet, Heinzen Printing & Promotional, Marshfield Firefighters Local 1021, RE/MAX American Dream, and The Hearing House
• Bronze Sponsors – $300: Brock & Decker Real Estate, LLC, CENTURY 21 Gold Key Realty, Inc., Crockett Septic, LLC, Kathleen Hasenohrl, Partners Bank, Stratford Sign Company LLC, The Family 88.5, V&H Automotive, Victory Promotional LLC, and Wisconsin Homes Inc.

Shirley's House of Hope is a Christian non-profit recovery center in Marshfield, Wisconsin, that exists to aid women and children affected by domestic violence and addiction. The proceeds from this fundraiser are essential to continue providing our vital services, as we receive no government funding. Since 2010, over 600 women and children hurting from domestic violence and addictions have been given a safe, nurturing place to heal at Shirley's House of Hope.