Who's panicking?

Last week when Judy called me to write a little blurb about the culinary contest, she wanted me to reassure people not to panic; there would still be time to enter. I was calm and happy then because for the first time since I’ve been involved, thanks to the organizing efforts of people like Kathy Leonard and Ruthie Harris, the details of the contest and the cooking demonstrations had been addressed.

The best panel of judges was in place. Their credentials couldn’t be better. Per Nilsen was a chef for the royal family in Norway. Andy Rigdon, chef for the Ritz-Carleton in Laguna Niguel and Austr...