(July 28, 2016 – Brighton, MI) … On Thursday, August 11, 2016, two local chefs will enter the “Kitchen Stadium” at Bordine’s Nursery (MAP) in Brighton to compete in the 12th Annual Iron Chef Competition to benefit Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan (Gleaners). Doors open at 6:00 pm and the competition begins at 7:00 pm.Last year, over 600 guests helped Gleaners’ Iron Chef Competition raise over $100,000, enough to provide over 300,000 meals.
2015 Iron Chef Champion Chef Eirik Kauserud of La Vita Bistro in Pinckney will defend his title against Chef Jeffrey Bane, Dean of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management at Cleary University in Howell. The competition challenges each chef to prepare an appetizer, entrée and dessert utilizing a secret ingredient in each dish. In addition to creating food for the competition, both chefs prepare dishes for public tasting – voted on by Iron Chef guests. The chef that garners the most votes earns bragging rights as the 2016 Iron Chef Fan Favorite.
Now in its third year, the Iron Chef Mixology Competition will match-up new contenders Toni Oomranky of 2Fogs Pub in Howell and Jon Foley of The Laundry in Fenton. In a furious five-minute face-off, the cocktail connoisseurs are tasked with creating an award-worthy beverage infused with a secret ingredient.
Guests quickly learn it’s much more than a spectator sport; patrons will have a chance to bid for a Judge’s seat at Iron Chef 2017 for both competitions. Three lucky patrons can get a seat at the table by entering the Tasting Chance with a nominal donation; one winner for each category will sample the competitors’ creations during the battle from a seat at the judges table for both competitions.
A varied and plentiful selection of hors d’oeuvres, desserts and beverages from local purveyors will be available to guests and an assortment of silent auction items will provide an opportunity for attendees to take home more than a full stomach.
For the 12th consecutive year Steve Garagiola, WDIV Local 4 News Anchor will moderate the event and Detroit News Columnist Neal Rubin will serve as color commentator.
Gleaners 12th Annual Iron Chef Competition Judges include: Kate Lawson, Food Writer; Chef Tom Lin, Food Network Cutthroat Kitchen; Renee Chodkowski, Host of WHMI 93.5’s “The Great Foodini” and Cheryl Cleyman of Howell, 2015 Guest Judge winning bidder.
Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at www.ironchefevent.com, or these locations:
- Gleaners Livingston Distribution Center, 5924 Sterling Drive, Howell 48843
- Bordine’s Nursery, 6347 Grand River Ave., Brighton 48114
About Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan
For nearly 40 years, Gleaners Community Food Bank has been “feeding hungry people and nourishing our communities.” From its Detroit headquarters, Gleaners operates five distribution centers and provides food to 535 agencies throughout southeastern Michigan. Collecting 34.5 million pounds of food a year and distributing 79,000 meals a day Gleaners also educates 84,700 children about food and nutrition. Every dollar donated provides three meals and 93 cents of every donated dollar goes to food and food programs. Learn more at www.gcfb.org.
Media Only: For further information or to arrange an interview or schedule a cooking segment with a chef, please contact: C&B Scene| 248.336.8360 | scene@candbscene.com