Reality-show chefs battle it out at The Chopping Block
Photo: Ellie Cunningham |
As the victor was announced, it was rare moment to see reality-TV stars without cameras around.
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In a twisted version of Top Chef meets Hell’s Kitchen meets Iron Chef, The Chopping Block pitted HK winner Rock Harper against TC winner Stephanie Izard Monday night for a 30-minute contest to see who could create the best dish under pressure. Nerdier fans of the shows have probably been fantasizing about what a showdown could bring between the quiet, prim Izard vs. Harper. And since “reality” essentially goes hand-in-hand these days with the obligatory “element of surprise/twist,” Chopping Block owner Shelley Long chose six items for a mystery basket, which contained specific ingredients to be unveiled to the chefs only five minutes before the competition. The winner would have to impress a panel of Long, an audience member, and the head chefs from Avec, Socca, and Naha. Decider set out to see who would emerge victorious.
Before the showdown began, the audience lined up to sample a spread of appetizers Harper and Izard had made beforehand. Harper, whose creations on Hell’s Kitchen have since won him the top position at Terra Verde restaurant in Nevada, had made a delicious sweet-and-savory barbequed flank steak panini. He showed up in a black trucker-cap he designed himself and graciously let everyone know about his upcoming hobby clothing line. Chicago-based Izard spent her pre-game time signing copies of Top Chef: The Cookbook for fans. Those waiting to meet her tried her crisp wonton appetizer of tuna, eggplant, and pickled radish. In the meantime, the steady flow of wine and beer amped the audience for the contest.
With the audience at the front of their seats, it was finally time. The great mystery basket would reveal its contents to all: sardines, rack of lamb, honey vodka, apples, bacon, and—oh, yes—gingersnaps. Harper and Izard took five minutes to plan and discussed the menu with their sous chefs, instructors at The Chopping Block. Overhead mirrors allowed the foodies in the audience to watch the slicing and dicing.
Izard started with vodka, throwing dried vanilla beans and crystallized ginger in and setting it aside to steep for the next 30 minutes. Opposite her, Harper focused on his lamb entrée, separating meat and bones. “Why would you do that, Rock? The rack’s the best part!,” an astonished crowd member cried out. But as the audience simmered down, the aroma of diced bacon cooking on one of Izard’s burners caused mass-scale salivation. Long sidled up to Harper, asking about his cuisine’s theme. “Finnish!” he joked, placing the final touches on his dishes. Izard leaned toward her competitor for the first time since the showdown began. “Do you need me to help you?” she smirked. Laughs sprung from the (Chicago-biased) crowd.
Izard started with vodka, throwing dried vanilla beans and crystallized ginger in and setting it aside to steep for the next 30 minutes. Opposite her, Harper focused on his lamb entrée, separating meat and bones. “Why would you do that, Rock? The rack’s the best part!,” an astonished crowd member cried out. But as the audience simmered down, the aroma of diced bacon cooking on one of Izard’s burners caused mass-scale salivation. Long sidled up to Harper, asking about his cuisine’s theme. “Finnish!” he joked, placing the final touches on his dishes. Izard leaned toward her competitor for the first time since the showdown began. “Do you need me to help you?” she smirked. Laughs sprung from the (Chicago-biased) crowd.
After the oven timer counted its final seconds, the judges left the kitchen, dishes in hand. Harper abandoned his workspace to grab a glass of red and give his fans a rundown on the stressful half-hour endeavor; Izard held post, letting camera-wielding and question-asking audience members approach the scene of the cook-off. About 20 minutes later, the hour of judgment arrived. The jury stepped to the front of the room and revealed their selection: For the strength of her fruit-and-cheese infused dessert, Izard prevailed over Harper. But no hard feelings; the two competitors hugged it out amidst shouts and applause from their fans. Home-field advantage, maybe. But we’re sure as hell looking forward to her eventual Chicago eatery.
