The following are the dishes as listed in the program, though what actually was served could have been different because of last-minute changes.

1. Mini pork sandwiches, beans and slaw plus mini corn bread by Ron Meyer of Piggy Blues BBQ of Austin

2. Gourmet pork tenderloin and other dishes by Scott Fadden of Nelson’s Market Place

3. Savory wings and baby corn bread and chips and salsa by Dennis Souba & Gang

4. Fresh baked “cakes” by Sugar Chic Cake Designs of Albert Lea

5. Chicken wings by Mark Christopherson, aka Narvelle Hawkins

6. Wonton tacos by Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar of Albert Lea

7. Crme brûlée made by Beth Atz

8. Focaccia sandwich by Lakeside Café & Creamery

9. Prime rib and broccoli salad by Geneva Bar & Grill

10. Smoked pork tenderloin by Jim Zenk and Steve Nesse

11. Blue cheese stuffed roulade by Wedgewood Cove Golf Club

12. Mushroom pté, hummus and chocolate cherry amaretto cupcakes by Kim Olson of Grandma’s Gourmet

13. Chili and seafood crêpes by Pootie Reed

14. Peanut butter chicken wrapped in bacon by Jeff Telchow

15. Barbecue riblets and bourbon wings by The Willows of New Richland

16. Praline rum cake or brownies by K&K Restaurant & Bakery

Click here to hear from the cooks themselves about the food they prepared for the Gourmet Auction.

It was the 10th year for the Gourmet Auction, but on Friday it the first time the fundraiser was at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club.

The golf course’s clubhouse opened last spring. One of the Gourmet Auction organizers, Perry Vining with the Big Island Rendezvous & Festival, said the new facility provides greater space, which allowed for four more cooks. And more ticket sales and more bidders.

Sixteen cooks and about 190 people attended Friday, which Vining said was the most ever.

The event draws a mix of food lovers, Big Island Rendezvous supporters and people who enjoy classy social events. The Gourmet Auction is thrown by the Rendezvous and the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. The proceeds benefit both organizations. Vining and Chamber of Commerce Director Randy Kehr, along with volunteers and chamber employees, were greeting people, running errands, selling raffle tickets, making announcements and delivering the auction items.

Vining said the previous nine years combined had produced $54,000 in proceeds and said he was hoping this year the figure climbs above $60,000. Last year, it was difficult to move in the room in which it was held. This year, there was extra space, which Vining said meant there is room for the fundraiser to grow.

Bryan Cunningham lives in Clarks Grove and works as a chef in Owatonna. He and his wife, Evie, come to the Gourmet Auction to try the food.

“It’s just fun seeing everyone in their element,” he said.

He enjoyed the blue cheese stuffed roulade from Wedgewood Cove Golf Club’s chef and the mushroom pate by Kim Olson of Grandma’s Gourmet. Evie liked a cheesecake offered by Nelson’s Market Place.

Nelson’s main dish was a gourmet pork tenderloin, which was liked and gone in a flash, but it seemed everyone, when asked about their favorite, had to mention the cheesecake.

Even the auctioneer. Mark Didlevson of Owatonna has been the auctioneer for the Gourmet Auction for all 10 years.

“I really get into the sweets,” he said.

He enjoyed the Nelson’s cheesecake and cake from Sugar Chic Cake Designs.

Joan Anderson of Albert Lea likes camping and thought the taste of the chicken wings by Mark Christopherson, an Albert Lea man who has won regional awards for his barbecue skills, would go well in a camp setting.

However, she raved about the crme brûlée made by Beth Atz.

“It was probably the best thing I’ve ever tasted in my whole life,” Anderson said.

Christopherson goes by Narvelle Hawkins when barbecuing. Adopted names are common among the barbecue crowd. And Albert Lean Kathy Sabinish said she enjoys coming just to have some of Narvelle Hawkins’ chicken wings.

Wayne and Shirley Gunderson said they could have walked across the ice to Wedgewood Cove. They live on Pickerel Lake in the Ackland Subdivision.

Wayne said they enjoy the entire event, from the food to the auction to the hobnobbing. He said they enjoy supporting the Rendezvous.

Shirley said it was important to support local events. As for the food, she enjoyed the mini pork sandwiches from Piggy Blues BBQ of Austin and the wonton tacos from the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar of Albert Lea.

They both said they enjoy having Wedgewood Cove as a place to go and said they frequent the restaurant on Friday nights.

Amy Eckart of Albert Lea won a gold and diamond necklace from Fisher’s Fine Jewelers, apt since she is engaged to be married to Albert Lean Kevin Birch.