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<p>Record crowds joined Bridges Prep’s sixth annual Block Party and Shrimp &amp; Grits Cook-Off, and the clear first-place winner by the people’s vote — for the second year in a row — was Chef Curtis Epps with Albergotti Grill in the Beaufort Holiday Inn on Boundary Street. His victory netted a $1,000 cash prize.</p>
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<p>Second place and $500 went to Robert Wray with Cafe Roux of Bluffton, and Chef Sherri Green Whitmire of Rent-A-Chef took third place and $250.</p>
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<p>“It was a fantastic day all around — thousands of people, great fun and fellowship, outstanding chefs cooking delicious shrimp and grits, and everyone seemed to have a blast in the beautiful weather,” said Amy Painton of the Bridges Prep PTO, which organized the event.</p>
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<p>Proceeds from the event will help Bridges Prep buy an activity bus for athletics and field trips. The amount raised won’t be final until expenses are finalized later this month. Ameris Bank was the primary sponsor, having donated $3,000 to the event.</p>
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<p>For Chef Epps, it was the thrill of competition for a good cause.</p>
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<p>“I’m very proud of our team’s preparation, our recipe and our food,” Epps said. “The people were fantastic, everyone was smiling and having fun, and they didn’t mind waiting for a fresh batch since they could see us doing the cooking. On behalf of Albergotti Grill, we are thankful for the first place award, but more importantly, we are glad we could help Bridges Prep and the PTO.”</p>
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<p>The Block Party Shrimp and Grits Cook-off is the key fundraising event for the state charter school in Beaufort.&nbsp;</p>
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