FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ISSUE
Fire on the Rock Resumes February 22 and 23
Matt Franklin of Beech Mountain’s Jackalope’s View
Michael Foreman of Blowing Rock’s Bistro Roca
Cobren Morales of Blowing Rock’s Canyons
Nicole Palazzo of Banner Elk’s Sorrento’s BistroBe sure to check High Country Press and www.highcountrypress.com every week for a preview of each preliminary round as the Fire on the Rock Chef Challenge continues through February and March.
The second week of the Fire on the Rock Chef’s Challenge concluded February 9 with the closest battle yet: only 93 points separated winner Joe Turner of Banner Elk’s Hearthstone Tavern & Grille from Michael Spencer of Hickory’s Table 220 Fusion Grill.
The evening was “Battle Game,” as chefs had to incorporate Manchester Farms Fresh Quail, Chateau Royale Rabbit Sausage and Mountain River Elk into the six-course meal.
Although Turner came out on top, the highest scoring dish of the evening was Spencer’s Rabbit Stuffed Quail and Quail Mousse, with 1,516 points.
With this week off, Fire on the Rock will resume on Tuesday, February 22, with a matchup between Matt Franklin of Beech Mountain’s Jackalope’s View and Michael Foreman of Blowing Rock’s Bistro Roca.
On Wednesday, February 23, 2010 quarterfinalist Nicole Palazzo of Sorrento’s Bistro in Banner Elk will return to the competition as the challenge’s only female; she will face Cobren Morales of Blowing Rock’s Canyons.
“Here we will see again if girls rule and boys drool,” Crippen said in an interview last week. “She made it all the way to the stage as a semifinalist—girls, come support this girl here.”
In addition, the February 23 matchup will feature a popular secret ingredient—something everyone should love.
“It’s going to be a doozy of a secret ingredient,” Crippen said. “One you won’t want to miss.”
Crippen’s Country Inn, located at 239 Sunset Drive in Blowing Rock, will host the preliminary elimination rounds, and then the quarterfinals, each Tuesday and Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in February and March.
Cost is $39 per person, plus beverage, tax and gratuity.
With preliminary and quarterfinal events selling out quickly, be sure to make your reservations in advance for the Fire on the Rock finals, held during the Blue Ridge Wine & Food Festival in Blowing Rock.
The final four chefs—and then the final two—will battle head-to-head on stage at the Hayes Performing Arts Center on Saturday and Sunday, April 16 and 17. Chefs will have one hour to impress area food critics who will score each dish.
Tickets for the finals are now available online by clicking to www.blueridgewinefestival.com.
For reservations for the preliminaries and quarterfinals, call Crippen’s Country Inn at 828-295-3487 or click to www.fireontherock.com.
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