Iron Chef Event Sets Record for Gleaners Food Bank

The following press release is from Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan:

On Thursday, August 6, 2015, Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan welcomed guests to Bordine’s Nursery in Brighton, MI for their 11th Annual Iron Chef Competition. Revenue totals eclipsed the event’s previous high and helped this year’s heated battle raise a new Iron Chef record of over $105,000. Funds from the competition will allow Gleaners to provide over 315,000 meals to their hungry neighbors in Livingston County.

Drawing a crowd of over 615 people, Gleaners’ 2015 Iron Chef Competition garnered the highest attendance in the event’s 11-year history. Gathering at Bordine’s Kitchen Stadium, guests were welcomed with a vast selection of food and beverages from over 27 local restaurants and businesses.

The main event pitted Chef Eirik Kauserud of La Vita Bistro in Pinckney against Chef Jamie Crozier from 2Fogs Pub in Howell in a three-course battle of culinary skill. As is tradition, both chefs were required to utilize a “secret ingredient” in each dish. This year’s chefs had the challenge of incorporating kohlrabi into every submission. Chef Eirik’s grilled bourbon marinated flank steak char paired with fried kohlrabi, mulberry butter sauce, almond pesto and a potato and kohlrabi hash was cited by judges as the standout dish that lead to his victory. However, neither chef left Kitchen Stadium empty-handed - Chef Jamie was crowned the people’s champion after edging out his counterpart in the “Fan Favorite” vote.

Preceding the main event was the second Iron Chef Mixology Competition that saw Dani Borden of Diamonds Steak & Seafood retain her title for the second straight year.

Iron Chef Proceeds will benefit Gleaners’ Shared Harvest Pantry in Howell. The “client choice” pantry is arranged similar to a grocery store and allows Livingston County residents experiencing a “food emergency” the opportunity to browse and select their own food.