PORT HOPE, Sept. 16, 2010: In a shocking upset, last year’s top two Understanding Generous Loveable You establishments have been knocked off the podium. With neither of their tournaments (golf and lob ball, respectively) able to go ahead, MacGregor’s Restaurant & Pub and Swiss Chalet Cobourg succumbed to an excellent effort by Virginia at The Great Farini, which catapulted her into the winner’s position in this year’s U.G.L.Y. Server Competition. She raised just under $300, beating Casey’s hard-working duo of Ashlyn Kelly and Kate Kaffer by almost $100. The entire wait staff at Capone’s took on the U.G.L.Y. challenge, securing third spot; while the Country Kitchen in Campbellford made its usual strong showing, coming in fourth; followed by Port Hope’s Winchester Arms.

This was the twelfth annual U.G.L.Y. competition, and given how hard the last few years have been for the food service industry, it is not surprising that it was probably our least successful campaign to date, bringing in about $1,000. Over the next several months, NBSBB’s fundraising committee will be consulting with past participants and looking at new and different ways to raise funds by tapping into the youth, enthusiasm and generosity of Northumberlands’ restaurant staff and owners.

A big thanks to all our U.G.L.Y. servers, managers and restaurateurs who helped with the 2010 competition, and of course, to the restaurant patrons who contributed to the U.G.L.Y.ness of this year’s campaign.