Final Two Chefs Chosen to Compete in Valley Chef Showdown Sept. 29.
Martinsburg, WV (PRWEB) September 18, 2014 -- The inaugural Valley Chef Showdown is officially under way, and two of the region's top chefs have been selected to move on to the final round Sept. 29 to battle for the title of Valley Chef Showdown Champion. Hosted by The Historic McFarland House in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the competition is a one-of-a-kind fundraising event designed to highlight the Shenandoah Valley's culinary masters. Three talented local chefs entered the kitchen for rounds one and two of the competition, but only two were chosen to continue on to the final round. Chefs Ed Matthews, owner of One Block West in Winchester, Virginia, and ML Carroll, owner of Canapés Catering in Frederick, Maryland, emerged victorious, but not without a valiant effort from Alyson Zimmerman, executive chef at Domestic in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
During round one of the Valley Chef Showdown, held Sept. 15, more than 175 attendees tasted appetizers prepared by the competing chefs, voting for their favorites while they sampled treats from local food and drink vendors. Pork belly on waffles with peppadew butter bud, quail egg and Southwest hollandaise sauce; braised pork on cornbread topped with kale and apple slaw and vegan curry; and mini pork belly bánh mi are just a few of the mouth-watering appetizers that contenders dished up.
For round two, all three chefs were given a select set of ingredients and challenged to prepare their final dishes of the evening for the panel of guest judges. With Matthews and Carroll coming out on top, the two will be moving on to the final round Sept. 29.
During the final round, attendees will enjoy a six-course meal prepared by the two final contenders as they face each other in a head-to-head challenge where only the region's most talented chef will be crowned the Valley Chef Showdown Champion. Attendees will vote for their favorite courses to determine the winner.
“I’m super excited about the Showdown,” said Brad Spates, executive chef at The Historic McFarland House. “I've done a lot of competitions like this myself, so it's cool to bring the same kind of feel to a local event.”
While only one chef will be victorious, each chef will receive money to donate to the charity of his or her choice. The Historic McFarland House will donate proceeds from the event to the Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle. “Events like this are not only great for area restaurants,” Spates said. “It’s a lot of fun for the local chefs involved, and it’s for a great cause.”
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 29. Dinner will be served at 7:15 p.m. The winner will be announced before 10 p.m. Tickets, which include the cost of the meal, cost $50 for both members of The Historic McFarland House's Victual Club members and for non-members.
The Historic McFarland House is located at 409 S. Queen Street in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.ValleyChefShowdown.com.
About The Historic McFarland House
The Historic McFarland House is a premier wedding and dining destination for residents of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Nestled in downtown Martinsburg, West Virginia, the Victorian venue blends elegant service with culinary sophistication. In the kitchen, Chef Brad Spates excites modern palates with fresh, local ingredients and inspired fare. For more information, visit http://www.HistoricMcFarlandHouse.com or call 304-263-1890.
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Cutline: The 2014 Valley Chef Showdown contenders, pictured from left to right, are Chefs ML Carroll, owner of Canapés Catering in Frederick, Maryland, Ed Matthews, owner of One Block West in Winchester, Virginia, and Alyson Zimmerman, executive chef at Domestic in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
Sandy Sponaugle, Platinum PR, +1 (304) 876-8321, [email protected]
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