Seasoned cooks compete in Silver Chef contest at Tucson Chinese Cultural Center [Video]

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Five talented chefs, all seniors, went head-to-head in this year’s Silver Chef Culinary Competition to see who could create the best dish using native ingredients to Southern Arizona.

All the contestants in Saturday’s competition at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center now live in local senior-and-assisted-living communities. “We have this myth that nursing homes and assisted living have food that isn’t any good,” St. Luke’s CEO Teri Waldman said, “but they make really delicious food and we’re going to see that.”

A panel of entrepreneurs and cooks from local businesses like Rollies, Brother John’s and Barista del Barrio judged the contestants’ dishes. The culinary showdown also served as a fundraiser for St. Luke’s Home, a senior community for people ages 55 and up who may not have the most secure financial footing.

“We have 64 older adults that live at St. Luke’s Home. The average they pay is about $1,300 per month,” Waldman …