Those who are more likely to view their kitchen as ornamental rather than functional were in their glory as the masses congregated at SouthSide Works on Thursday for Savor Pittsburgh, where the elbow-to-elbow-to-elbow crowd of more than 1,500 put forth their best efforts to clear out the kitchens of the area’s most popular eateries.

“We’re getting killed!” mused Jeff Maag, head chef of Table Brick Oven & Bar. “I’ve had people coming back two and three times.”

Music to any chef’s ears as the masses literally ate their way through cuisine being whipped up from the likes of McCormick & Schmick’s, Braddock’s American Brasserie, The Capital Grille, Habitat, Jackson’s, Osteria 2350 and The Wooden Nickel. Benefitting the National Pancreas Foundation to the tune of $150K, the annual event has continued to grow in popularity as quickly as everyone’s waistlines, while celeb judges had the daunting task of putting in their two cents for Dish of the Year among a handful of quirky contenders including Banana French Toast and Chocolate Bacon from Cioppino (snagging Best Dessert), Chilled Peach Creamsicle Soup from Sharp Edge Bistro, and Pastrami Pork Belly from Meat & Potatoes, which claimed the crown.

Emcee Pam McMahon, Michelle Kirsop, Christina Dickerson, Patter Birsic, Bruce Horvitz, Damian and Teri Soffer, Kitty Hillman, Tom Michael, John O’Keefe, Bill Gray, Renee Piatt, Michele Stillwagon, Ryan Bend, Jim Kelly, Sue Modispacher and Tracy O’Lare circulated (salivated?) their way around the temptation. Meanwhile, Tonya Watson dished on the perks of being married to Kevin Watson, executive chef of SAVOY Restaurant and Lounge (which also went home with the People’s Choice Award), “We don’t usually have to make him (cook), because it’s his passion, so he loves to do it. He brings food home all the time!” she laughed.

No Bad Ju Ju did their best to keep the party alive and kicking, although, by 8:30, a good portion of the crowd had finally waved the white flag on their gluttony and unquenchable thirst for the finer things in life.

“We ran through wine like nobody’s business,” laughed Syma of Engine House 25 Wines.

Savor Pittsburgh

Savor Pittsburgh, hosted by the National Pancreas Foundation of Western Pennsylvania at the South Side Works on Thursday, September 1, 2011.

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