Local chefs compete for your taste buds
Updated: November 9, 2012
DECATUR -- People spent the night wining and dining. It was for the first ever Kitchen Warriors Competition.
The Culinary Arts Institute at Richland Community College put on the event. Nine local restaurants came out for fight for your taste buds.
"Really what we're trying to do is showcase all the local chefs and local restaurants in town and really what Decatur has to offer," said Brian Tucker, Director of the Culinary Arts Institute
His plan was to showcase the city's variety through some friendly competition.
"What made me want to come out here tonight was the opportunity to eat a lot of very good food," said Larry Klugman.
Round one was the taste test.
"It's a dream. It's very good. We just go from pop to pop to pop and it may take me several times before I can figure out who really won," said Klugman.
Nine chefs from places like The Beach House, Bizou and The Decatur Park District cooked up signature dishes.
"We're serving a marinade beef tenderloin with a butternut squash risotto," said Kevin Brewer from the Decatur Park District.
"I've got a grilled diver scallop with garlic butter and white wine over a bed of vegetable cous cous with cilantro and lime," said Raymond Durbin of Bizou.
Guests got to try each one and vote for their favorites. After the votes were in and bellies were full, it was time for the battle round. The top two chefs dished it out in a live cooking event. They had to make a meal using the secret ingredients which were veal, mushrooms, fennel and sage.
"We sold out of tickets on Monday so we've had to turn people away unfortunately but we're excited about making this an annual event and we're thinking we really have a great thing here," said Tucker.
The winner of Thursday's competition was Steve Novitski from the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel. All the proceeds from the event benefits the Culinary Arts Institute.
The Culinary Arts Institute at Richland Community College put on the event. Nine local restaurants came out for fight for your taste buds.
"Really what we're trying to do is showcase all the local chefs and local restaurants in town and really what Decatur has to offer," said Brian Tucker, Director of the Culinary Arts Institute
His plan was to showcase the city's variety through some friendly competition.
"What made me want to come out here tonight was the opportunity to eat a lot of very good food," said Larry Klugman.
Round one was the taste test.
"It's a dream. It's very good. We just go from pop to pop to pop and it may take me several times before I can figure out who really won," said Klugman.
Nine chefs from places like The Beach House, Bizou and The Decatur Park District cooked up signature dishes.
"We're serving a marinade beef tenderloin with a butternut squash risotto," said Kevin Brewer from the Decatur Park District.
"I've got a grilled diver scallop with garlic butter and white wine over a bed of vegetable cous cous with cilantro and lime," said Raymond Durbin of Bizou.
Guests got to try each one and vote for their favorites. After the votes were in and bellies were full, it was time for the battle round. The top two chefs dished it out in a live cooking event. They had to make a meal using the secret ingredients which were veal, mushrooms, fennel and sage.
"We sold out of tickets on Monday so we've had to turn people away unfortunately but we're excited about making this an annual event and we're thinking we really have a great thing here," said Tucker.
The winner of Thursday's competition was Steve Novitski from the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel. All the proceeds from the event benefits the Culinary Arts Institute.
