The series of culinary competitions culminated in Chicago. By Dianne M. Pogoda
“Ready, set, cook!”
The 2018 Battle of the Chefs competition wrapped up its series with an energized event in Chicago, at the Miele Experience Center in the Merchandise Mart. The series was orchestrated by Luxe Interiors + Design magazine, part of the Sandow Media family, with NKBA as title sponsor.
More than 150 design industry professionals and influencers from the Chicago area came out to watch the competition excitement unfold and to support and cheer on their favorite, participating “chefs.”
Four teams of five competed in the one-hour contest. The teams each had to prepare a shrimp appetizer, in any style they chose; a chicken entrée with suggested recipes that they could follow or adapt, and a dessert course that was at their discretion. The secret ingredient — revealed just before the cooking began and required to be included somewhere in the meal — was banana chips.
An array of proteins, spices and other ingredients was available, set up on an island with several cooktops in the “arena.” All of Miele’s appliances were up for grabs to create the meals, from steam and speed ovens to microwaves, a variety of cooktop configurations and warming drawers.
The teammates met for the first time about an hour before the battle ensued, strategized and determined who would be responsible for which portion of the meal.
As the timer started, the chefs busily chopped, mixed, prepped and took their creations to stovetops, steam ovens, microwaves and conventional ovens, ultimately plating their culinary delights for a panel of five judges. Guests milled around, nibbling hors d’oeuvres and sipping wine, stealing a glimpse of the preparations in the hives surrounding the prep stations and cooktops.
Judges included Pam Ryerson, NKBA; Ann Marie Del Monico, ASID; Blair Loftspring, LUXE Home; Gary Schreiber, Power Construction, and EJ Silver, Studio 41. They based their decision on taste, presentation and the creative use of the secret ingredient.
A flurry of crostini, chicken meatballs, tiramisu, crepes and wraps crossed the judges’ table, but ultimately, the top choice emerged. The winning team, including NKBA Insider Elle H-Millard, CKD; Amy Kartheiser, Amy Kartheiser Design; Kevin Toukoumidis, dSpace Studio; Jeff Harting, GTH Architects, and Gladys Schanstra, Schanstra Design, prepared sesame shrimp with a zest of orange, chicken tacos (in the steam oven), and a caramel and apple empanada drizzled with a caramel sauce and topped with banana chips.
Other sponsors included Miele, ASID Chicago, Calia Stone Boutique, Chicago Luxury Beds, Gensburg Toniolo & Harting Architects, Ilene Chaise Design, Morgante-Wilson Architects, Power Construction, Studio 41 and Ultimate Stone.
The BotC series began in the fall at Riggs Showroom & Distributing, a Sub-Zero Wolf showcase in the San Francisco suburb of Burlingame, CA, followed by a contest in Norwalk, CT, Aitoro Appliance showroom.
