So you’ve got the scoop on each contestant for this Sunday’s Culinary Challenge at West Chester Recreation‘s Chester County Restaurant Festival that’s set to debut at 2 pm on the historic Courthouse steps (off High Street). Now what? The guidelines and rules are just as important as the master chefs who have entered. Without those, there would be no contest for these talented kitchen kings to compete in.
That being said, let’s run through the participants one last time and then get down to the nitty gritty.
CHEFS
1. Jonathan Aman — Amani’s BYOB of Downingtown
Jon is defending his two time title for the chance to win three years in a row and become honorary judge. More info on his thoughts and participation HERE.
2. Andrew Deery – Majolica of Phoenixville
Andrew is entering for the first time but “excited and honored to participate.” He looks to bring his passion (and a knife) to the chopping block in hopes of taking the Best Chef in Chester County title. More on Andrew HERE.
3. Phil Dersch – The General Warren Inne of Malvern
Phil is the youngest of all contestant but ambitious and always thinking outside the box. He’s won a crab cook-off in the past but knows “these are amazing chefs” so he plans to bring his A-game. More on Phil HERE.
4. Tim Smith – Twelves Grill & Cafe of West Grove
Tim Smith has his hands full this September but is enthusiastically making time for the Culinary Cook-off. He loves “the thrill of a challenge” so we can’t wait to see what this challenge pushes him to create! More info on Tim HERE.
NITTY GRITTY
The four contestants mentioned above will compete to win the title of Best Chef in Chester County.
The Challenge will consist of three rounds.
- Round 1: Each chef will prepare an appetizer
- Round 2: Each chef will prepare an entrée
- Round 3: Each chef will prepare a dessert
SURPRISE: At the beginning of each round a surprise ingredient will be introduced. If the surprise ingredient is incorporated in the dish that round, bonus points will be awarded.
JUDGES: Each dish will be judged by a panel of local foodies which includes PA Eats‘s very own Amy Strauss, and culinary experts from The Chester County Hospital and Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant.
MANADATORY: There are special ingredients for each round that must be used. They include oysters from Doc Magrogan’s for the Appetizer round, beer from Iron Hill for the Entree round, and Apple Cider Doughnuts from Highland Orchards for the Dessert Round.
At the end of the competition the winner of the 2012 Chester County Culinary Challenge will be crowned.
We hope to see you there taking it all in. Mary Bigham, founder of PA Eats, will be emceeing the entire event so you won’t miss one juicy detail. May the best chef win!
Now we must ask, who are you rooting for?
