Hot Fires Cooked the Best Burger at Operation Eco-Renovation’s 1st Annual Cook-Off Last Saturday

SEATTLE - July 3, 2015 - PRLog -- Last Saturday June 27th saw dozens of events all on fire with the heat of the day, emotionally and physically. At the Nile Shrine Golf Course it was no exception; Zakayla Productions Foundation launched their new show, Operation Eco-Renovation with a fundraiser cook-off. The foundation provides a service for disabled Veteran home owners that did not exist until now that provides full interior Eco-renovations. Chef John Howie, local chef extraordinaire found the judging difficult but the cause worth every bite. Each contestant’s burger was judged on presentation, taste, use of ingredients and creativity.

“The Zakayla Productions Foundation has worked tirelessly to get this Operation Eco-Renovation show off the ground, and I am proud to be here supporting the effort to provide Eco-renovations for our disabled Veterans homes—we should all give back to those that have protected our country,” said Chef John Howie. “All four contestants provided outstanding recipes and it was difficult to choose the best burger; US Marine Corps Sergeant Gene Johnson Jr.’s winning burger provided a special blend of ingredients topped off with a jalapeno cheese burger bun that met all the criteria and then some.” The winner received a copy of Chef Howie’s book, Passion and Palate: Recipes for a Generous Table, and a gift certificate for his new restaurant opening in August, Beardslee Public House, in Bothell, Washington. “I was honored that he felt so strongly about the foundation I have created; it all started with my own pain which led to great compassion for others. I was compelled by their stories of the difficulties told to me by disabled Veterans, about their lack of benefits needed for a healthy and fulfilled life,” said Wanna Choy, Founder and CEO of Zakayla Productions Foundation.

Many stories were told by Veterans in attendance; there was a common thread that there is still a lot of discrimination in housing for Veterans in general. “We are in support of Zakayla and the show Operation Eco-Renovation, because we want to help Vets get into homes, and Operation Eco-Renovation can help those that are already home owners get a safe Eco environment to aid in helping them manage diseases unseen, like respiratory illness coming back from combat. Our goals are aligned well and we are supporting the foundation any way we can; it’s why we have a presence here today at the cook-off,” says Steve Harwood, who served in the Marines, and is President of the Seattle Chapter for the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals. “This is going to be big, as the need is so great—there are so many disabled Vets out there suffering in their homes. It is really sad and Operation Eco-Renovation is one of the ways to help solve the problem,” said Michael Valiente, Secretary of the Board of Directors of Zakayla Productions Foundation.

Zakayla Productions Foundation would like to thank these local businesses: Chef John Howie, Brown Bear Car Wash, VFW, VVA, VAREP, Mclendon Hardward, Sams Club, Cash & Carry, Shari's, Seattle Restaurant Store, Scott's Restaurant, Franz Bakery Outlet, Nile Shriners, Chucks Hop Shop, Special Occasions Catering, Emerald City Smoothie, Roosters Kettle Corn, Face Painting USA, Foster Press Printing, Circle of Friends, Fabio Valencia DJ Services, Mayor Jerry Smith and Greg McGrath, Shriner Director, New Roots Organics and Jody Hurd of Tomboy Tools for supporting our First Annual All Military BBQ Cook-Off Competition.

About Zakayla Productions Foundation and Operation Eco-Renovation

Operation Eco-Renovation, produced by Zakayla Productions Foundation, (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling (800) 332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities) is a 13 episode home improvement show that will focus on Veterans who are disabled, disadvantaged or in distress. Showcasing a homeowner’s story, Wanna and Sonny find and feature innovative Eco-friendly products and create a renovation plan to increase the homeowner’s quality of life by customizing the renovation to their needs, and educate the recipients along the way about the changes as they are occurring. Connect on www.Facebook.com/ZakaylaProductionsFoundation, @ZakaylaProdTV, www.ZakaylaProductions.org.