Media Releases/Articles
Heating up the competition
Students compete in Iron Chef contest
By Cindy Petersen, KCC, 9 October 2008
Culinary arts students from Kirkwood Community College took center stage at the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmer's Market on Oct. 4 to participate in the market's version of "Iron Chef."
The competition included two teams of four students each. They used fresh produce that was gathered throughout the market earlier that morning to prepare the dishes. Lamb chops were provided to both teams by a local farmer and the students were given an hour to complete the task.
Chef Melanie Ewalt, assistant culinary arts professor, said that Shelley Strauss and Nick Thomas, visitors from Box Hill Institute in Melbourne, Australia, were among the students competing. Other team members were Kirkwood students Micah Melton, Noah Bowles, Luke Peters, Hillary Reinert, Nate Woodley and Eric Ehler.
Ewalt said that it was great to see the students from Australia included in the competition. "This is really exciting because it gives the students a chance to use their combined abilities and work together to come up with a unique dish," Ewalt said.
On hand to judge the event were Amy Wyss, managing partner from Zins Restaurant, and Brandon Godwin, general manager of Vito's Restaurant, both of Cedar Rapids.
Announcer Greg Runyon, radio personality from KZIA 102.9, kept the hour-long show alive, referring to Ewalt as "The Big Cheese" and nicknamed the teams "Team Fennel" and "Team Basil."
As the hour drew to a close, Ewalt announced the final minutes of the competition. Students put the finishing touches on the meal and took extra measures to make it unique.
As Runyon watched them he noted, "They make it look so good. If I have learned something today it's that presentation is everything."
The judges took their time in making their decision, commenting on the presentation and flavor. After they conferred with each other and compared notes, the judges made their decision.
Though Ewalt mentioned both teams did a wonderful job in preparing the dishes, Team One, or Team Fennel, took the honor of first place.
The team prepared their dish using an Indian theme, which included rice as the side dish. Members of the winning team were Melton, Bowels, Peters and Strauss. Each of them received a $25 gift certificate to Kitchen Experts.
Team Two, or Team Basil, prepared their dish with a Mediterranean flavor, adding a secret ingredient to their mashed potatoes. For participating each student received a $10 gift certificate to Kitchen Experts.
As the crowd began to dissipate, Runyon commented that this was one of
the best types of competition. "Everyone walks away a winner,"
he said.
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