Junior League of Cedar Rapids will bring the excitement of its own version of the Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” to the local level yet again on March 10 as area chefs and restaurants pull out all the stops to compete in the fast-paced, fourth annual “Iron Chef Cedar Rapids.”
And according to Lizabeth Wardzinski and Danielle McCoy, 2010 Iron Chef Co-Chairs for Junior League,
you can’t have too many cooks in the kitchen.
“The chefs love the competition,” Lizabeth says.
“They become very competitive about maintaining
their title from the previous year or dethroning the previous year’s winner. While we were preparing
for the event … we would visit restaurants that had previously competed and they were proudly
displaying their awards.”
Last year’s champion, Nathan Derrick of Cibo Fusion in Cedar Rapids, will be back to defend his title and is enthusiastic about participating.
“The surprise of it and the pressure are fun,” he says.
Nathan Derrick and other local chefs will find out the “mystery ingredient” they must incorporate in their dish — along with pork belly, a starch, a vegetable and a sauce — the morning of the competition. After preparing their dishes they are judged on presentation, taste, professionalism and creative use of the mystery ingredient.
Those who attend the event have as much fun
as the chefs.
“I think people enjoy coming to watch the spectacle of it,” says Nathan. “You don’t usually get an opportunity to actually see the workings
of a kitchen.”
As if watching the Iron Chef competition heat up weren’t enough, Danielle says there’s lots of other tasty excitement included in the event.
“Our guests will taste the culinary works of three other local restaurants competing in what is
called the People’s Choice event,” she says.
“Guests will be given ballots to vote on their favorite appetizer dishes. Three restaurants —
Vinos, Zins and Jiamen — will have one of their
hot appetizer dishes and one of their cold
appetizer dishes for the guest to taste.”
Local vendors — including Millstream Brewery,
Dale Lee Distributing, Secret Cellar, 1st Avenue
Wine House and Fireside Winery — also will host
wine and beer tastings.
Of course it’s not just about savoring delectable treats. Iron Chef Cedar Rapids supports the fundraising mission of the Junior League. Proceeds from ticket sales will be contributed to the Junior League’s Community Grants and also support the Expressive Art Studio and Retail Store at The Arc of East Central Iowa.
“It is really gratifying that we can put something on that people really enjoy, community businesses get involved in, and still generate money that will be
going to a great cause,” Lizabeth says.
So what’s the secret ingredient for Iron Chef event success? They aren’t telling of course. You’ll have to
find out on March 10 — just like the chefs.
— KATIE
