Mariano’s teams with Avocados from Peru to smash hunger

Mariano’s Bucktown hosted the most spirited culinary showdown of the summer on Aug. 20 with the second annual Celebrity Guacamole Challenge.  Co‑sponsored by Avocados from Peru and Mariano’s, the fun-filled event featured media personalities, chefs and local celebrities in a competition for the Silver Avocado, a trophy signaling the best guac of the night.

Each competitor was armed with Avocados from Peru along with ingredients like fresh produce, spices and the option to use a secret ingredient destined to elevate their guacamole creations.

Among the standout entries, Chef Dominique Leach surprised and delighted the crowd with her unconventional twist: after crafting her base guacamole, she drizzled a fragrant blend of toasted sesame and olive oil, finished with chili crisp. 

Competing alongside her were familiar faces and new challengers: esteemed media host and returning competitor Natalie Bomke of FOX 32 Chicago who was paired with Chef Ken Polk of Batter & Berries; this author with Chef Dominique (Leach), MLB All‑Star Curtis Granderson teamed with Chef Tony Priolo; food writer Lili Mendoza pairing with Chef Imani Graham, Monica Eng with Lamar Moore; journalist Liz Grossman alongside Chef Bill Kim; Sandra Montenegro with Maciek Zurawski and Ji Suk Yi partnering with Mariano’s culinary innovator Gary Zickel.

The judges included Xavier Equihua, President of Avocados from Peru; beloved Chef Art Smith; esteemed sommelier Belinda Chang and Rodolfo Godinez and Chris Fisher, representing the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank, respectively.

Guests drifted from station to station, sampling guacamole and cheering on their favorites. Yet behind the playful competition lay a profound cause: by night’s end, each of the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Northern Illinois Food Bank was set to receive 30,000 fresh avocados to support local hunger relief efforts.

As the clock wound down toward 7 p.m., the guac was ready to be evaluated. The judges sampled, deliberated and decided. In the end, Natalie Bomke and Ken Polk clinched the silver avocado trophy. For Bomke, this marked an impressive back‑to‑back victory: she had also won the inaugural challenge in 2024, albeit with a different partner, solidifying her reputation as a guac n’ roller.

Congrats to all the participants and Michael Marx (Mariano's president) and Amanda Puck (VP of Development for Mariano's/Roundy's). 

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