It was a meeting of the greatest culinary minds at our own Kitchen Stadium back in April. Our very own Iron Chef, and birthday boy, Nathan and his team of expert cooks went head to head with a team of top-notch, pint-sized chefs and restaurateurs in our first ever IRON CHEF competition.
On the Iron Chef side- the blue team - was Iron Chef Nathan, Chef Jared, Chef Carson, Chef Tanner, Chef Ryan, Chef Kennan, and Chef Dylan. On the Challenger side - the red team - was Chef Sara, Chef Alex, Chef Derek, Chef Reagan, Chef Brodey, and Chef Brittney.
Tensions were high as the SECRET INGREDIENT was revealed...
...CHEESE!!
Each team has to plan a menu featuring the secret ingredient - cheese of any kind. They had to come up with and appetizer, salad or side dish, main dish, and dessert. Then they had to go buy the ingredients, and come back and make their masterful culinary creations before the time limit .
The tough chefs on the blue team, (intimidating, aren't they?) quickly get to work in the outdoor kitchen.
Chef Dylan chops fresh fruit, perhaps for the for the dessert.
What could Chef Carson possibly have in that bowl? It remains a mystery.
Chef Tanner mans the grill over what could become cheeseburgers.
Chef Jared grates a fine sharp cheddar over what looks to be chili-cheese nachos.
Chef Ryan and Chef Keenan help Iron Chef Nathan select the finest, flawless, heirloom tomatoes.
Hear the clash of steel as the Iron Chef deftly slices the succulent strawberries. 
Sou chef Caleb is happy about broccoli for the first time in his life!
Sou Chef Luke - not so much.
Meanwhile in the indoor kitchen, the red team puts their fluffy white heads together to plan their unbeatable menu.
Chef Brittney gets right to work on her world famous scrambled eggs, cooked to perfection. Wonder what those are for?
Chef Sara is preparing what looks like pizza dough for baking.
Chef Derek seasons the main course perfectly.
Chef Regan opens cans with enthusiasm. Don't know why she is so happy because the clock is ticking down.
Tensions rise as Chef Brodey adds cheese, and more cheese to everything! The red team's game plan must be "Make it Cheesier!" Let's see if that is a winning strategy.
The Buzzer rings and time is up. "Put your spatulas down!"
Lets meet our distinguished panel of judges. Grandma and Grandpa Signs have been eating, and cooking, most of their lives, have highly developed palettes and are therefore perfectly qualified to decide this contest .
The blue team is the first to present to the judges. Their Menu:
A beautifully presented tomato cheese salad, spicy chili cheese nachos, fat and tender cheeseburger (the cheese was IN the burger,) and a fruity cream cheese bagel for dessert.
The Judges are impressed! Lets see how the red team fares.
Then the red team takes their turn to try to wow the judges' taste buds with their menu:
Their own version of chili cheese nachos, a classic broccoli and cheese, a savory breakfast pizza worth waking up for, and strawberry cream cheesy, chocolaty, cherry mini bagels for dessert.
The judges had a tough time deciding as all of the food was beautifully presented and of gourmet quality. When they tallied the scores, believe it or not, there was a tie! Unbelievable! But one team must rise as the winner, and that team was...drumroll...the blue team. The coveted "golden measuring cup" was, in the end, awarded on a technicality. You see, the Iron Chef's team, under the pressure of Chef Carson, cleaned up after themselves! Way to go Chef Carson (they are doing something right in the Whitlock home! - shout out to Alysa - you go girl!). Tonight in kitchen Stadium, the Iron Chef team emerged victorious!
The Turkey Cake
What a great party it was, and the easiest party ever to throw because the kids did ALL the work! (Of course it would have been even easier if my dishwasher hadn't literally gone up in smoke the night before. Those kids used every dish in the house. AARGH!) And these kids worked HARD. Nobody messed around. How is it that the harder you make them work, the more fun they have? Moms, did you know your kids could cook like that, or even work like that? The food was really, really tasty, especially those truly gourmet burgers and that breakfast pizza. Scrumptious! Great job guys!
Happy birthday Chef Nate, and congratulations on your victory!
On the Iron Chef side- the blue team - was Iron Chef Nathan, Chef Jared, Chef Carson, Chef Tanner, Chef Ryan, Chef Kennan, and Chef Dylan. On the Challenger side - the red team - was Chef Sara, Chef Alex, Chef Derek, Chef Reagan, Chef Brodey, and Chef Brittney.
Tensions were high as the SECRET INGREDIENT was revealed......CHEESE!!Each team has to plan a menu featuring the secret ingredient - cheese of any kind. They had to come up with and appetizer, salad or side dish, main dish, and dessert. Then they had to go buy the ingredients, and come back and make their masterful culinary creations before the time limit .
The tough chefs on the blue team, (intimidating, aren't they?) quickly get to work in the outdoor kitchen.Chef Dylan chops fresh fruit, perhaps for the for the dessert.What could Chef Carson possibly have in that bowl? It remains a mystery.Chef Tanner mans the grill over what could become cheeseburgers.Chef Jared grates a fine sharp cheddar over what looks to be chili-cheese nachos.Chef Ryan and Chef Keenan help Iron Chef Nathan select the finest, flawless, heirloom tomatoes.Hear the clash of steel as the Iron Chef deftly slices the succulent strawberries. Sou chef Caleb is happy about broccoli for the first time in his life!Sou Chef Luke - not so much.Meanwhile in the indoor kitchen, the red team puts their fluffy white heads together to plan their unbeatable menu.Chef Brittney gets right to work on her world famous scrambled eggs, cooked to perfection. Wonder what those are for?Chef Sara is preparing what looks like pizza dough for baking.Chef Derek seasons the main course perfectly.Chef Regan opens cans with enthusiasm. Don't know why she is so happy because the clock is ticking down.Tensions rise as Chef Brodey adds cheese, and more cheese to everything! The red team's game plan must be "Make it Cheesier!" Let's see if that is a winning strategy.The Buzzer rings and time is up. "Put your spatulas down!"
Lets meet our distinguished panel of judges. Grandma and Grandpa Signs have been eating, and cooking, most of their lives, have highly developed palettes and are therefore perfectly qualified to decide this contest .
The blue team is the first to present to the judges. Their Menu:
A beautifully presented tomato cheese salad, spicy chili cheese nachos, fat and tender cheeseburger (the cheese was IN the burger,) and a fruity cream cheese bagel for dessert.
The Judges are impressed! Lets see how the red team fares.
Then the red team takes their turn to try to wow the judges' taste buds with their menu:
Their own version of chili cheese nachos, a classic broccoli and cheese, a savory breakfast pizza worth waking up for, and strawberry cream cheesy, chocolaty, cherry mini bagels for dessert.The judges had a tough time deciding as all of the food was beautifully presented and of gourmet quality. When they tallied the scores, believe it or not, there was a tie! Unbelievable! But one team must rise as the winner, and that team was...drumroll...the blue team. The coveted "golden measuring cup" was, in the end, awarded on a technicality. You see, the Iron Chef's team, under the pressure of Chef Carson, cleaned up after themselves! Way to go Chef Carson (they are doing something right in the Whitlock home! - shout out to Alysa - you go girl!). Tonight in kitchen Stadium, the Iron Chef team emerged victorious!
The Turkey Cake What a great party it was, and the easiest party ever to throw because the kids did ALL the work! (Of course it would have been even easier if my dishwasher hadn't literally gone up in smoke the night before. Those kids used every dish in the house. AARGH!) And these kids worked HARD. Nobody messed around. How is it that the harder you make them work, the more fun they have? Moms, did you know your kids could cook like that, or even work like that? The food was really, really tasty, especially those truly gourmet burgers and that breakfast pizza. Scrumptious! Great job guys!
Happy birthday Chef Nate, and congratulations on your victory!P.S. Cookbooks from this Iron Chef competition will be available soon!!!
3 comments:
Looks like a good time was had by all! I am enjoying your blog, a first for me.
Thanks for hosting such a wonderful and memorable party. I love seeing the pictures!!! Keep hosting those wonderful events, would you? I appreciate any enrichment you give my children. Happy birthday Nate!
WOW -- what fun it was for all! It must be great to have a Mom who has such wonderful themed parties -- guess I need some tips!
I know Chef Tanner was quite excited when he came home -- which was too early of course for him!
Thanks for sharing the photos!
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