Challenging the Competition
Written by Kate Wildrick, June 23, 2024
Chef Paul Farnsworth, Chef Hip from the Darkside Smokehouse and Co-Founder, Kate Wildrick of the Prosperity Private Club, gather at the first BBQ cooking competition event hosted on June 22, 2024.
This morning, we opened the doors to the Prosperity Private Club and the smell of smoky barbeque filled the air. We made some strong coffee to enjoy with a thick slice of carrot cake. As we sat down to enjoy, we began to reminisce about last night’s first ever BBQ cooking competition. Looking at the drawings that our guests left on the paper covered table tops and dirty dishes that we chose to abandon, we marveled at what we had managed to accomplish on a moment’s whim and a four year dream in the making.
It is no surprise that anyone who has managed to get to know us soon realizes that we love celebrating people’s journey as they bring their talents and gifts to our space. In a world that is so quick to focus on the end result and evaluate that experience based solely what is set in front of them, we choose to dig deeper, and find the overlooked gems that many are quick to miss.
When first walking into the tired café four years ago, my heart sank. All I saw was the endless work and even prison that a place like this could be. After owning and operating a restaurant years ago in Central Oregon, I vowed never to do that work again, as it almost killed me. Working 15 plus a day, 7 days a week for over two years before the economic downturn hit in 2008/09, the stress took a huge toll on my mental, physical and emotional well-being. It eventually left me broke, in debt and divorced. The restaurant I owned never made money, but the rest of the other amenities did. I truly enjoyed my crew and the creations we made. It was challenging. For the folks we did find to be interesting, time with them was limited until the next customer walked through the door or the phone rang. These tiny fulfilling exchanges kept us going and thankfully they happened more than the people we met who who rude and demanding. I didn’t exactly know what the café would become, but I knew that if my family and I were going to breathe life into it, it would have to be something else for me other that what it had always been known as. Thankfully, a new vision emerged as we began to work on improving the space.
Chef Paul Farnsworth prepares his specialty ribs to enter into the cooking competition.
The late nights and long days in upgrading the space during the pandemic challenged us to reflect on what we valued and yearned for. We imagined a place that felt good to be in. It was more than the layout, textures, colors and flow of the space. It was about the energy, support and connection that invited us to explore what else we needed to design for. In the end, we opted to create private club. Here, we could take the lead on hosting and curating events that would build on what we value, while providing the time and enriching experiences to develop meaningful exchanges and relationships. As we became clearer on what we wanted to do, we began to dream and imagine what kinds of events and people we would meet. We thought about creating a space for other chefs and foodies to come and find support and encouragement. We immersed ourselves in the possibilities of what kind of activities and philanthropic adventures we would get to support and be a part of. As we shared our ideas, we could not help but get more and more excited about completing the renovation so we could get back to doing what we do best, building community.
“I can’t believe we pulled this off…” marveled Aaron as he poured another cup of coffee.
As our 8 year old son ran around the tables, he yelled out, “I really liked meeting Chef Paul. He likes Star Wars like I do.”
I took another bite of the award winning carrot cake that everyone voted as the best dish in last night’s first cooking competition we hosted as part of a BBQ themed event. It was a sweet delight, and even sweeter to experience as it meant the world to provide a chance for our dear friend and neighbor, Patrice Johnson to shine. She and her husband, Randy, ran the café years ago. They shared a similar experience the hardships I had faced with my restaurant, but were also left with the great memories that their customers and friends had given them. Patrice’s carrot cake was a favorite with their regulars and drew people far and near to experience it again and again. We had heard this infamous cake since meeting them, but last night was the first time we and 20 others had tasted it for the first time. She and Randy were right. It was definitely incredible.
Attendees enjoy a full plate of homemade and signature prepared dishes along with incredible deserts.
Two weeks ago, I sat looking at the calendar and wondered on a whim if there was enough interest to do a cooking competition. I had been slowly building relationships in several local social media groups. As I shared what we were creating and building, the feedback I received was overall encouraging. In making my way into the foodie and chef groups, I was fortunate enough to find Chef Paul Farnsworth who shared my passion for collaboration. As an active member of several foodie and chef groups, he was the first to go out of his way to step up and support the Prosperity Private Club by accepting my invitation to join us in a BBQ cooking competition. He kindly shared that he had been watching what we were up to and could see that what we were all about was in line with he strives to support and nurture. With a week and a half to pull something together, what we created shocked us all.
Chef Paul, recruited his friend and colleague, Chef Hip from the Darkside Smokehouse. Together, these two ignited my creativity to create a playground where we could make this competition playful and supportive. Unlike other competitions that are focused on perfection and presentation, we wanted to cultivate a space that honored the courage and the desire to share a special creation with others who wished to support one’s journey to keep learning and growing with their culinary craft.
I thought about what we could give to others as way to make this experience meaningful. Beyond amazing food, I thought about the space to be seen and cherished. My family and I talked about the people who have become our friends and dear supporters and the kindness and encouragement that they bring to us and others every time we gather. They are a part of something much greater and this was something we wished to ripple out.
With close to a packed house, the Prosperity Private Club generates a lot of interest in this first event cooking competition and leaves people eager to participate and support the next one.
With summer here, we found that many of our members were busy, on vacation, or simply unable to attend. Chef Paul had a full calendar for the next 8 weeks. With our family coming into town and the tiny home build that would soon be underway, we decided to lean in and go for it. As we circulated the invitation to join, many in all of our networks expressed that they wished for more lead time as they had already had made other plans. I kept reaching out. I kept sharing what we were doing. I kept visualizing that we would have the right people at this event to make it something amazing.
In the end, we had nearly a full house at last night’s event. With four competitors, and nearly 10 entered dishes that included smoked ribs, bacon wrapped chicken lollipops, hatch green chile cornbread, smoked jalapeno pineapples, triple berry trifle and the carrot cake, we all ate well as Aaron and I made BBQ chicken legs, a garden salad from the aquaponics system, baked beans and peach pop overs to contribute to the spread. The friends and members that showed up and even rearranged plans, really made this event one that we will forever treasure and look back on fondly. Here, we were able to give space, attention and recognition to our neighbors and new friends for showing up and being a part of something caring and meaningful. This competition in many ways was one that challenged each of us to show up for what we care about. As a community based endeavor, I am always mindful of the space we create and what we hold in it. Here, we wanted to give back love and kindness that has so generously been provided for us to keep going and has made all the difference on the days we sometimes want to give up. In creating and giving space to people and passion, it only seemed fitting that we give that back.
Aaron Imhof, Co-Founder of the Prosperity Private Club, adds to the cooking competition with his grilled chicken.
As the votes came in, our local neighbors and friends, Patrice Johnson and Cheryl Smith won with their desserts. Chef Hip was acknowledged for his marvelous chicken lollipops. We elected to give both Chef Paul and Chef Hip two top prizes of a one night staycation in our tiny home when it gets completed along with a full day to host an event in the Prosperity Private Club to share their craft with others. For Chef Patrice and Chef Cheryl, we decided to gift them a choice of a having the space for an event or a couple of spaces to a future dinner. Lastly, we gave three gifts (a plant, treat and produce box) away as part of a drawing from which everyone could engage in.
The night was full of excitement and everyone was thrilled at the quality of the experience. Chef or no chef, each person who showed up and participated made it possible for others to be seen, heard and feel connected and valued. It is amazing to see and know that what we do matters and that what we are creating here is very special. Given the level of support that came through last night, we know that this is just the beginning of something really unique and significant. We cannot thank everyone enough for showing up and showing out, as what we are building and creating space for together is beyond anything I could have ever imagined. We received feedback that from these chefs that what we all created and experienced together was surprising and uplifting. Not only were they amazed in the turnout, but they were taken back by the positive energy and vibe everyone had. In a world where many go out of their way to point out other’s faults and imperfections, the Prosperity Private Club provides something else that encourages transformation through growth versus a stand alone transaction.
We look forward to hosting more special events like this and know that as each one happens, we are providing a chance for people for something positive and enriching to occur. This is what prosperity is to us. We create a currency of connection and valuing of others and their gifts.
