Some of Bloomington's best chefs will take to the stage Sunday night at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater not knowing what they are about to cook in front of a live audience.
The 12th annual Bloomington Chefs’ Challenge takes inspiration from popular television cooking programs like Iron Chef and other competitive cooking shows, according to the Buskirk-Chumley's website.
The competition features three local chefs, who have an hour to create a winning dish that must include a local secret ingredient, which isn't announced until the start of the challenge.
The dishes are then judged by a panel of four judges, with the winning chef awarded the "Golden Spatula."
Through an online voting process earlier this summer, Robert Adkins, executive chef at Truffles Restaurant, Chris Hoppie, executive chef at FARMbloomington and Corbin Morwick, executive chef at One World Catering, were selected to compete in the challenge.
Morwick won the challenge in 2012 when the secret ingredient was garlic, and in 2013 when the secret ingredient was eggs, while Adkins has been a participant in the past. This will be Hoppie's first chance at taking home the golden spatula.
In addition to the cooking challenge, the event will also feature a live auction of culinary items and dinner packages, local restaurant trivia with prizes, hors d’oeuvres from local chefs and businesses and a cash bar.
Commentary will be provided during the challenge by Brad Wilhelm of the Comedy Attic and Gregg Rago of Nick’s English Hut and Osteria Rago.
The challenge is expected to last about two hours and is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., but doors will open at 6 p.m. All tickets are general admission and cost $30.
The event is presented by the Community Kitchen of Monroe County, and all proceeds will benefit that organization.
Cameron Drummond
