Stopsky's "Matzoh Ball Showdown" Tonight

Sinker of floater? Golf ball or soft ball? Parsley or dill? Schmaltz or oil? These are the questions every matzoh ball maker must face when perfecting the quintessential Jewish dumpling. And on Mercer Island is no different.

Stopsky’s will hold “The Great Matzoh Ball Showdown” to find the very best matzoh ball in the local community. Up to 20 contestants — home chefs, mammas, bubbies and everyone else – are invited to submit their favorite matzoh balls in a contest to be judged by five local judges. The contestants will also compete against Team Stopsky, led by executive chef Shane Robinson. The first place winner will see his or her named matzoh balls placed on the Stopsky’s menu, in addition to receiving a $100 gift certificate to Stopsky’s. Four contestants will receive honorable mentions and $25 gift certificates to Stopsky’s.

“Stopsky’s is all about community, heritage and family,” said owner Jeff Sanderson. “This is a way to bring this all together in the form of one of the mainstays of Jewish cooking – the matzoh ball. We all have our favorite recipe, which brings back memories of family holidays. We at Stopsky’s look forward to offering the very best matzoh ball to share with our community.”

Judges include Washington State Jewish Historical Society President Lisa Kranseler, Mercer Island residents Dr. Michael Brawer, Lisa Porad, and Judy Chase, and official bubbie Beth Alhadeff.