This weekend, Columbus’ amateur chefs will have the chance to win great prizes and culinary glory at the Columbus Smoke Experiment, sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery. The winner of the local competition, held July 15th, will fly to Brooklyn in December to compete in the Food Experiment’s national championship, competing against the winners from 15 other cities.
Each city’s Experiment will feature roughly 25 local amateur chefs who will prepare a dish based on the food theme. Each city has a different theme, and Columbus’ is smoke. Samples of each dish will be served to attending food enthusiasts and local smoke experts. The judges include G.A. Benton, Restaurant Reviewer at Columbus Alive and “Under the Table,” Chef Kevin Caskey of Skillet, Jim Ellison of CMH Gourmand, Pete Wiseman, R&D and Bakery Manager of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, and yours truly.
Smoked meats are the obvious first thought, but I think that the smoke theme offers a lot of possibilities including using smoked cheeses, grilled eggplants and peppers, smoky scotches and, as Jeni has done, using lapsang souchon tea. I’m looking forward to seeing what creative ideas the ‘cheftestants’ come up with.
Everyone who attends will have a hand in choosing which ‘cheftestants’ will win bragging rights, cookware, bake-ware, and cash from National Sponsors: Brooklyn Brewery, Le Creuset, Anolon, Microplane and Wusthof knives. These events usually sell out, so if you want to attend you should purchase your tickets in advance. Better yet, put on your thinking cap and apron and enter.
Tickets are $10 and include a Brooklyn Brewery pint and a wide array of culinary delights. Half of the ticket proceeds will go towards charities that promote sustainability and local culinary education for disadvantaged children and teens.
July 15th, 2012 at Skully’s Music-Diner (1151 N. High Street) from 1pm – 4pm.
