By John Temple LigonJust desserts

Chef Robert Stegall–Smithh and his family prepare “Chocolate Swan.”

Monday night on the top floor of the Capitol Place Building, in the lavish spaces of the Capital City Club, Palmetto Place held a dessert competition among Columbia’s top chefs. Palmetto Place operates a temporary emergency children’s shelter, and the dessert competition worked swimmingly as a fund raiser. The patrons paid $50 each to attend and to taste.

There were three dessert judges and two were professionals of high standing in the culinary arts: Chef Michael Kester, a certified executive chef and a member of the American Academy of Chefs; and Susan Slack, a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals. The third judge, Temple Ligon, had qualified with the claim of tasting more desserts at more restaurants in more cities of the world than most anyone else in town.

Dreher Principal Jean Stiglbauer In the club’s ballroom ten dessert presentations were laid out on ten tables around the window wall. The patrons taste–tested the ten desserts and washed down everything with all kinds of potables. Meanwhile, the judges roamed the floor to determine which of the ten tables got the award for “Most Beautiful Dessert.”

After the judges had fully investigated each display, they adjourned to a back room to taste–test the desserts. They drank only water, and took each dessert on a clean plate with a new fork. There was extensive debate and deliberation, but they agreed in the end. This all took an hour.

The conclusions:

Most Delicious. First Place: Malted Milk Chocolate Torte by Chef Richard Snyder and Chef George Bozko. Runner–up: Checkerboard Lemon/Raspberry Cheesecake by Chef Eve Martineau and Chef Michael E. Hollaway.

Best Plate Presentation. First Place: Chocolate Swan by Chef Robert Stegall–Smith. Runner–up: White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Mango Cheesecake in LiHing Macadamia Nut Crust Served with Berry Compote and Ice Wine Sabayon by Chef Damian Wanek.

Most Creative Dessert. First Place: Kids Table at Cinnamon Hill by Chef Sheila Veach. Runner–up: Carolina Autumn by Chef Patrick Duggan.

Most Beautiful Dessert. First Place: Banded Chocolate Mousse Cake by Chef Tony Raysor. Runner–up: Carolina Autumn by Chef Patrick Duggan.

Judges’ Overall Favorite. First Place: Kids Table at Cinnamon Hill by Chef Sheila Veach. Runner–up: Banded Chocolate Mousse Cake by Chef Tony Raysor.

2004 Best of the Best, sponsored by Ed and June Thomas: Malted Milk Chocolate Torte by Chef Richard Snyder and Chef George Bozko.

There was a final category which was the ballroom’s popular favorite. The winner of the People’s Choice Award was Malted Milk Chocolate Torte by Chef Richard Snyder and Chef George Bozko. Runner–up: Carolina Autumn by Chef Patrick Duggan.

The Five Star Donor Award for Outstanding Support to Palmetto Place Children’s Emergency Shelter went to the Capital City Club. Manager Sean McLaughlin accepted the award for the club.