Chris Pandel of The Bristol was named the Master of the Market Thursday at the fifth annual COUNTRY Chef Challenge. The event was sponsored by COUNTRY Financial and The City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events (DCASE).
Pandel created apricot brie grilled cheese paired with refreshing gazpacho during the competition at the Daley Plaza Farmers Market. Pandel had 20 minutes to select farm-fresh ingredients at the market and transform them into a simple, healthy dish. The pairing ranked best among three dishes prepared by competing chefs, Luca Corazzina of 312 Chicago and Iliana Regan of One Sister, Inc. Check out their recipes at www.countrychefchallenge.com.

Country Financial, celebrating 86 years in business, began offering insurance and investment services in the City of Chicago since 2007. COUNTRY Financial serves more than 1 million households and businesses throughout the United States, and offers a full range of financial products and services from auto, home and life insurance to retirement planning services, investment management and annuities. For more information, go to www.countryfinancial.com.