Join Patch For Free Food at East River Bank—10 a.m. Friday

Grappling with off-the-wall ingredients, local chefs will compete Friday in 's Chopped spin-off.

At the community bank's East Falls headquarters, 12 chefs from Manayunk, Roxborough, East Falls and elsewhere will serve up appetizers and desserts to judges and the public.

Roxborough-Manayunk Patch editor Sam Fran Scavuzzo will serve as one of the three judges. The contest starts at 10 a.m. Friday, with judging beginning at 10:30 a.m.

East River Bank's "Chopped Challenge" came about as a way to celebrate Community Banking Week, said Nancy Karahuta, the bank's vice president for business development.

"We wanted to create buzz and fun for customers and local businesses," she said. "We have so many great restaurants, and that's what spurred the idea on."

The official Community Bank Week fell last week, but East River Bank wanted to extend it throughout all of April.

Similar to the Food Network show, the Friday event pits chefs against each other in a taste test contest. Each entry must incorporate peanut butter, Cheerios, and avocado for the appetizer, and marshmallow Peeps, instant coffee, carrots, and rice cakes in the dessert.

A panel of three judges (including me!) will decide a winner. The dishes will be scored on taste, creativity, presentation, and incorporation of the required ingredients.  

Additionally, the public is welcome to test out the food and declare a people's choice recipient. Though the media judging is occuring at the East Falls branch, Roxborough residents will get to sample and vote in the people's choice at the 6137 Ridge Ave. location.

Roxborough and Manayunk entries include:

Restaurants from East Falls and other neighborhoods will also compete, like Down Home Diner, Fall’s Taproom, Slice’s, Café at the Mills, Franco’s, and Jack’s Firehouse.

Karahuta said East River wanted to create an event that demonstrates the connection community banks form with the towns they serves.

"I think it's important that banks support the community and work with the different businesses, nonprofits and residents to help make a wonderful community to live and work in," she said.

The "Chopped Challenge" starts 10 a.m. April 13 at the East Falls branch, 4341 Ridge Ave.