BANGOR, Maine — Ever want to slip onto the set of “Chopped,” join the judges and hobnob with celebrity chefs? Sharpen your knives, epicureans, because you’ll have that chance Friday night at the Maine Chef Challenge.
This live cooking competition will pit a handful of stovemiesters from Greater Bangor against each other in a tasty showdown at The Gracie Theatre. Produced by the Bangor Daily News, the live event started in 2012 as a fundraiser for Eastern Maine Community College. After a hiatus last year, the rebolstered challenge returns with gusto.
Celebrity chef Sam Talbot, a Maine transplant who has appeared on “The Chew ” and heads the Pig and Poet restaurant in Camden, is one of several food experts to determine who sizzles under fire.
On the chopping block are a cross section of Greater Bangor’s top cooks, as selected by readers of Bangor Metro.
“It’s an opportunity for you to see your favorite chefs from your favorite restaurant in action, see how they think on their feet and respond to situations that come out of nowhere,” Deandra Briggs, BDN’s director of marketing, said. “It’s exciting. Not the same old same old.”
Competing on stage are chefs Mark Horton and Johnny Thayer of Woodman’s Bar and Grill in Orono, Joseph Everett Smith and Tom Hashey of Bangor’s 11 Central, and Duncan Gunn and Justin Bard of Bar Harbor’s Blaze.
“Think ‘Chopped’ — except they won’t be chopped,” Briggs said.
Each chef will prepare an appetizer, entree and dessert from a basket filled with mystery items. Although some ingredients have been shared, the goal is to think fast and creatively on deadline. They have 20 minutes to a half-hour for each course.
“I’ve never competed in anything like this before,” Horton, co-owner of Orono’s popular American fusion joint, said. “We are expecting one kind of curveball but know most ingredients are locally sourced. We have a good idea what’s in season now. … It will be a fun surprise for us.”
Sponsored in part by Maine Shellfish, expect a few delights from the sea to surface. Horton suspects root vegetables and typical fall produce will dominate the dishes.
Judges Jay Demers, head of culinary arts at Eastern Maine Community College, and BDN senior feature editor and food blogger Sarah Walker Caron share duties with Talbot. And they are saving a spot for you.
In a fun twist this year, one ticket holder is invited to be a fourth judge for the night. The experience is up for grabs to the highest bidder in the silent auction. All proceeds from the auction go to the college’s academic foundation.
The panel will keep a scorecard and grade on taste, plating, originality and best use of secret ingredients. Master of ceremonies, local actor Bob Potts, will keep banter lively as chefs dazzle and dash on stage before a live audience.
Who should go?
“Anyone from an aspiring chef to those who love to eat or watch cooking shows,” said Briggs, who considers the challenge “a great date night, girls’ night out or something you can bring your mom to. It’s great food, and you are watching the hottest chefs in Bangor.”
Tickets are $30 and $40 — a VIP price that includes a meet and greet with Talbot — and can be purchased at mainechefchallenge.eventbrite.com, by calling 990-8021 or emailing events@bangordailynews.com.
