Students and chefs compete in cook-off
Kitchen Stadium, a popular venue for competitions on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” is once again on the University of Idaho campus.
Bob’s Place will host the fourth bi-annual Iron Chef competition Wednesday, and two teams of two students each will be randomly chosen to cook a dish — with assigned ingredients — to impress the judges. The student Iron Chef competition will start at 5:30 p.m. and the Vandal Dining chef competition will immediately follow.
According to Marissa Rudley, campus dietitian, after the student competition, two Vandal Dining chefs will compete to create a tasty dish with the ingredients left over from the previous competition.
“This is a great event to show off your skills,” Rudley said. “Most people don’t get the chance to show off abilities in the kitchen.”
Rudley and Vandal Dining spokeswoman Katlyne Clark, as well as the Residential Housing Association and Vandal Nutrition will host the event.
Rudley said she plans to commentate during the competition and play music with announcements beforehand.
While Rudley won’t mention the secret ingredient, she said the theme of the competition is vegetarian. She said the theme highlights a shift at Bob’s Place this semester with improving vegetarian options.
“It’s a chance for students to think outside the box about how to make high protein meals that are more plant-based,” Rudley said.
Rudley said the competition is open to all interested students and all cooking levels are welcome to compete. The Iron Chef event is meant to be fun but also instructive for students, she said.
The student contestants have the chance to receive a wide variety of prizes, such as Vandal Dining gift cards and VandalStore gift cards, among others.
After a close competition last semester, Vandal Dining’s reigning Iron Chef Sarah Campbell will defend her title against a fellow Bob’s chef in what Rudley said is a slightly more difficult competition.
Patrick Hanloncan be reach at [email protected]