Eight local chefs compete for honors creating foods from rescued ingredients. Photo: Aimee L. Cook

UTAH — A significant reduction in food waste is the mission of Waste Less Solutions, a Salt Lake City-based nonprofit organization.

With a dedicated focus on educating consumers and food entities, this organization aims to raise awareness about the issue of food waste and provide practical solutions.

Eight chefs collaborated in Waste Less Solutions Second Chance Dance event on August 28, delighting attendees with delectable small bites crafted from rescued food. Chefs had the choice to be given ingredients to work with or ‘shop’ the rescue food pantry. The event raised $20,000, which will go towards funding their programs.

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Waste Less Solutions’ primary goal is to educate and inspire action to reduce food waste in our communities through various initiatives, including the food diversion program. This groundbreaking program engages the community to rescue edible food and ensure it reaches those in need of nourishment.

Chef winners from the event are:

Least Food Waste – Bri Bonelli & Ian Groesbeck with their Curried Lamb Shorba
Favorite Food Tip – Elif Ekin of Kahve Cafe
Most “Copyable” – Gabby Rangel & Elvis Calderon with their Chicken Yakisoba
Most Creative Flavor Combination – Nick Zocco of Urban Hill, with his Cantaloupe with Cambozola Cheese Sliced Olives, Coconut Braised Chicken with Red Lentils and Honey Miso Caramel Popcorn
Most Rescued Food Used – Shirley Butler, Park City pastry chef, formally of Ritual Chocolate and Tupelo, with her Chocolate Galette with Poached Peach & Strawberry Sauce, Meringues with Strawberry Buttermilk Ice Cream and Olive Oil Chocolate Walnut Cookies
Most Clever Food Transformation – Chris Hollbrook of SLICE with his Beet Root Cracker with Chicken & Duck Confit and Potato Crisp with Roasted Tomatoes & Mushrooms
People’s Choice Award- Shirley Butler, Park City Pastry Chef