Spectrum Generations’ 12th annual Celebrity Chef Challenge fundraiser was held Sept. 16 at the Augusta Civic Center. From left are Chef Michael Gosselin of bon Vivant, Lewiston; Chef Steven Dumas of Otto’s on the River, Augusta with Assistant Cook Heidi Traxler; and Chef Joseph Tupper of the Muddy Rudder, Yarmouth. Submitted photo

AUGUSTA — Three Maine chefs went head to head Sept. 16 at the Augusta Civic Center, competing in Spectrum Generations’ 12th annual Celebrity Chef Challenge fundraiser and serving more than 200 guests.

Cory King, left, executive director of the Bath-Brunswick Regional Chamber, and Jon James, Radio Host for True Country 93.5, serve hors d’oeuvres prepared by Maine Pine Catering. Submitted photo

Chef Michael Gosselin of bon Vivant, 133 Lisbon St., Lewiston received the Judges’ Choice Award, and Chef Steven Dumas, an Augusta native and owner/head chef at Augusta’s Otto’s on the River, 287 Water St., Augusta, earned the People’s Choice Award.

Joseph Tupper, head chef at the Muddy Rudder Restaurant, 1335 U.S. Route 1 in Yarmouth, also created an inspiring dish, according to a news release from Lindsay MacDonald, vice president of community engagement for Spectrum Generations.

As winner of the Judges’ Choice Award, Gosselin’s dish, “Late Summer BBQ” included barbecue-rub grilled steak, roasted butternut squash glazed with blueberry barbecue sauce, smashed potato salad with black garlic and mustard vinaigrette, garnished with crispy fried spaghetti squash. The three competing chefs received a box of ingredients to include in their dish. Some were optional but all had to incorporate Teres Major (beef steak) and blueberries — the “secret ingredient” — into each dish, and all were required to follow Meals on Wheels standards and nutrition guidelines.

Chef Steven Dumas’ (of Otto’s on the River in Augusta) prepares pan-seared Teres Major steak accompanied by mashed red potatoes, roasted spaghetti squash and root vegetables with herb and jalapeno stuffed dinner rolls, and finished with a special version of blueberry bread pudding. Submitted photo

More than 200 people attended and supported the fundraiser in addition to numerous sponsors that helped raise more than $50,000, a new event record for the organization. The paddle auction raised more than $20,000 with the inclusion of an anonymous matching gift to double those donations that were raised through the paddle auction that evening.

All proceeds will support Spectrum Generations’ programs and services, including Meals on Wheels, which utilizes staff and volunteers to prepare and deliver upwards of 6,000 meals each week that are delivered to homebound older and disabled adults in communities throughout Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Somerset and Waldo counties, and the towns of Brunswick and Harpswell in Cumberland County.

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