Green chefs battle for the title
There’s a new Iron Chef in town — one who doesn’t buy into the charcuterie trend, fry food in lard or slap bacon on everything… or anything. Behold the (as yet to be decided) Vegan Iron Chef!
But who is this mysterious Vegan Iron Chef character? Nobody knows… not yet at least. But you’ll find out at the 3rd Annual Vegan Iron Chef Competition on Sun 4/17 from noon – 5PM @ the Kent State University Student Ctr.
This event, organized by Standing Rock Cultural Arts in cooperation with The VegiTerranean Restaurant, The University of Akron, and The Kent State University Dining Services, is organized into three competitions: Garde Mange (fruit and vegetable carving), a Student Competition and the Pro Chef Competition wherein eight chefs battle it out to cook the best dish sans animal products.
The battle, now in its third year, draws a crowd of 300-500 people.
“Free food is always a draw,” says Jeff Ingram, producer of the “Who’s Your Mama?” Earth Day & Environmental Film Festival held annually in Kent. “Deliciously healthy free food is even better.”
Not only will attendees sample an array of vegan treats, they’ll learn about locally grown and sustainable agriculture, the health and environmental benefits of a vegan diet and they’ll discover why vegans say “world peace begins in the kitchen.”
Jeff sums up the event as a “unique and delicious opportunity for the general public to explore vegan cuisine and learn about healthy options for ourselves and our planet earth.”
The Pro Chef Competition will feature some of the best green chefs in town showing off their skills. Among the eight chefs are Adam Zagar from The Root Cafe, macrobiotic chef Sheila Rombach, Molly Aubuchon of SpeciatySweetsByMolly, Julie Wandling Costell of Ms. Julie’s Kitchen, Mr. & Mrs. Tofu and others.
The rules are simple: Each chef can have two assistants. All ingredients must be free of animal products (vegan), and all dishes must use Daiya cheese alternative (a “cheese” made from tapioca starch that’s taking the vegan world by storm. It melts!) and a mystery ingredient. Judging will be based on flavor, presentation, use of locally grown and/or organic food and originality. Chefs will vie for one of two awards — the Juried Award and the People’s Choice Award.
VegiTerranean Chef Scot Jones won big in the past with his dish Pine Nut and Basil–Seared Gardein Chicken with Lobster Mushroom Beurre Blanc. Which mind-bogglingly tasty vegan dishes will take the cake this year? Be there to find out… and to try a bite.
The Vegan Iron Chef Competition is held in conjunction with the annual “Who’s Your Mama?” Earth Day & Environmental Film Festival held in Kent. Check out the competition on Sun 4/17 from 12 – 5PM @ Kent State University Student Ctr. Be sure to check out the rest of the Fest: the eco film fest on Fri 4/22 @ Kent Stage and the Main Street Block Party Festival on Sat 4/23. Get info at http://WhosYourMama.org.
Cool Cleveland editor Sarah Valek graduated from Ithaca College with a double-major in arts and writing. After graduation, she came back to her beloved city and served as an AmeriCorps*VISTA with the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. She currently spends her days chasing after her toddler-age son, drinking soy lattes and digging up the coolest events around town. Contact her at CoolEditorATCoolCleveland.com.
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