Durham Chefs Urged to Compete in Statewide Culinary Competition

The Bull City is routinely lauded as having one of the strongest food scenes in the state. Now its time to put that reputation to the test. This summer, Durham chefs will go head to head with the state's top culinary talent in the statewide "Iron Chef" style Got To Be NC culinary competition.

The Got To Be NC competition dining chef challenge features six courses prepared by two chefs coking elbow-to-whisk in the event site kitchen. The series starts with 16 chef teams of three members each. They cook in bracketed, single-elimination dinners until the final winner emerges. Each team builds their three courses for the evening around a "secret"or "featured" ingredient. The ingredient is revealed at noon before the chefs start to prep the night's meal. The winning chef receives $2500 and the coveted red chef's jacket.

The competition begins in Blowing Rock (Fire on the Rock) then proceeds statewide to Wilmington (Fire on the Dock) at the end of March and then on to Raleigh (Fire in the Triangle) and Greensboro (Fire in the Triad). Fire in the Triangle, will take place in Raleigh at 1705 Prime. Chefs from Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill will compete throughout the months of June and July with finals July 31.

In its inaugural year, the series is sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Pate Dawson Company / Southern Foods, Crippen’s Country Inn & Restaurant, h.its Technology and OUR STATE magazine. The goal of the competition is to promote local North Carolina ingredients and talented chefs from across the state.

Durham chefs are encouraged to participate in this event and must register by May 4. Durham food lovers are encouraged to come out and support the home team. Tickets are $49 each and sold in advance online. Tickets for the semi-finals and finals are $59 each.