After NC/DC, Northwestern students, faculty and alumni may continue the rousing rivalry with our Dutch neighbors to the north by joining in the second annual Iron Chef Challenge on Nov. 21.
The opportunity allows both colleges to make a positive impact, all while continuing the great tradition of competition.
Last year, Dordt College held its first annual Iron Chef Challenge, the college version of the Food Network show Iron Chef America. Teams will compete for a panel of 10 judges in making three dishes. Each dish must contain a secret ingredient that will not be announced until a half an hour before the challenge begins.
According to Justin Carruthers, a Dordt student involved with the planning, time will be the biggest opponent facing the teams. “With only one hour to make three dishes for ten judges—that’s thirty plates—all teams will feel the time crunch.”
With a shortage of time and perhaps a lack of cooking expertise, one may wonder if students are up for the task. The past, however, seems to be pointing in favor of the participants. “According to our judges last year, the food by far surpassed their expectations. Most teams last year cooked high quality meals,” said Carruthers. “This year, who knows?”
This event has much more to offer if sweating in the kitchen isn’t your cup of tea. There will be mini-games set up for spectators, and every attendee has the opportunity for a door prize as long as you bring a canned good as an entry fee. “For every canned good donated they will receive one stub to be put into the drawing for thousands of dollars in door prizes,” said Carruthers.
Many businesses in Sioux County donated goods and services as door prizes which include hotel stays at Holiday Inn Express, flowers, t-shirts, coupons, and a $1000 necklace and earring set. The event planners are hoping that the students will be just as excited and generous as the Sioux County businesses.
All of the collected canned goods will be donated to the Family Crisis Center in Sioux Center. “The new Sioux Center FCC will be opening shortly after the Iron Chef event so all the canned goods can be put right into the new building,” said Carruthers. “Last year we collected over 1000 canned goods, but are hoping to exceed those numbers this year.”
With the promise of good competition, a good cause, and hopefully good food, it’s time to get excited for Iron Chef Challenge 2009. “It’s a really great fundraiser for a worthy place, and it sounds like a really fun event to participate or watch,” said NW senior Brianna Gmeinder. “It’s the best of both worlds.”
