- December 4, 2025
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Rosen JCC Executive Director Joel Berger was a one-man show while cooking his classic latkes.
Rosen JCC Assistant Executive Director Eric Lightman served taste-testers his latkes, topped with a signature Sriracha sauce and scallions.
Rosen JCC Executive Director Joel Berger and Chief Financial Officer Nancy Portello thoroughly enjoyed cooking and eating the latkes.
Watercrest of Lake Nona Chef Manny Navarro used potato shavings rather than gratings in his latke recipe.
Danielle Lehrer and Lita Weinberg had homemade applesauce to go along with Weinberg's latkes.
The judges — Yael Miller of Ooga Ooga Cake Art, writer Rona Gindin, chef Gary Appelsies and Rabbi Hillel Skolnik — loved each latke they tasted.
Previously reigning champ Linda Nelson (left) worked hard with Kristina Armstrong (center) and Stacy Gerstenblitt (right) to churn out all of their latkes.
Jennifer Jacobson, VITAS Community Liaison Sally Kopke, Gloria Green and Lori Levine showed off the various latkes on their plates.
Rabbi Hillel Skolnik announced the winner of the judges' choice latke.
Rabbi Hillel Skolnik presented judges' choice winner Rosen JCC Executive Director Joel Berger with a “golden frying pan.”
Jennifer Jacobson and Lori Levine presented people's choice winner Rosen JCC Assistant Executive Director Eric Lightman with the “golden utensils.”
DR. PHILLIPS In honor of the Hanukkah season, the Rosen JCC hosted a latke cook-off competition on Thursday, Dec. 15. Five chefs participated, each with a different method and secret trick to creating the best-tasting latkes. About 50 participants tasted each of the five latkes and voted for their favorites, and four judges — professional chefs, nutritionists and a rabbi — chose theirs. Rosen JCC Executive Director Joel Berger won the judges’ choice, while Assistant Executive Director Eric Lightman received the people’s choice.
Contact Danielle Hendrix at [email protected].