Iron Chef Update.

Beautiful flowers Elizabeth picked up on her way home!

Last night we had the first round of our very first Iron Chef competition, and let me tell you, it was bursting at the seams with fun and deliciousness.  Our first Iron Chef Hopeful, also known as Blaise, who may henceforth be referred to as The Dancing Chef, started off our competition with a bang.  There was yummy food, good friends, poppin’ music and some pretty groovy dance moves, if I do say so myself.  Since our second round with our next chef isn’t until next Monday, I unfortunately cannot post The Dancing Chef’s recipe.  (Our other chef also reads this blog and might want to take a peek 🙂 )  I can, however, show you the rubric we’re using to score our chefs’ dinners each night.

The Official Score Card

Elizabeth took some time to get creative at work the other day and designed this fabulous score sheet, complete with the finest of clip art selections.  Each Official and Guest Judge receives one score card per Iron Chef Hopeful and fills it out before the evening is over.  Then, all score cards are handed to me, and I lock them away in a Top Secret Super Special Place, which I cannot disclose (we’re really into this, can you tell??).  Points are tallied after each chef has created their culinary masterpiece and then the winner will be announced.  Judges do not share their scores with each other or anyone else until the winner is announced.

I don’t know about you, but the anticipation is killing me!

Iron Chef: The Beginning.

Today begins the most exciting competition to hit this blog yet (not to mention the only one thus far).  What is it, you ask?  IRON CHEF.  Admittedly, I have never actually seen the show, but I can’t imagine it’s terribly hard to replicate. Our two contestants who will face off in the greatest culinary test our kitchen has to offer.  In this fight to the finish, our contestants will prepare the most delectable meal they can manage with the ingredients provided to them while of course, showcasing the Secret Ingredient.

Because of schedule conflicts and space constraints, our two contestants will go on separate nights, and neither will know what the other has prepared until the winner is revealed.  To keep an even playing field, each chef will be provided with the same Secret Ingredient, which they are notified of via text message on the morning of their Iron Chef destiny.

Elizabeth and I will be the Official Judges, occasionally garnering help from special Guest Judges.  We will assess each dish based on creativity, presentation, use of the Secret Ingredient and overall taste and appeal, among other criteria.  The winning chef will receive a prize and move onto the next round, where they will face off with Elizabeth.  The runner-up chef in the first round will then join me to judge Round 2.  This will be the first of a multi-part series, and we hope to continue the competition as the winter progresses and we find ourselves unable to leave our home.  All of the recipes and deliciousness will be documented and sent to you (via this blog) so you can keep up with all the fun and try out the tastiness for yourself.

With that said, ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?!