What will UT staff and students whip up in the kitchen with a unique secret ingredient? Find out during The University of Toledo Spring 2013 Iron Chef Competition.

Modeled after the Food Network TV show “Iron Chef America,” five teams made up of one faculty adviser, one residence hall chef and three students will create an original dish with a secret ingredient that will be announced right before competition.

The culinary competition, which is open to the public, will take place Wednesday, March 20, at 4 p.m. in the Ottawa East Dining Hall.

There will be entertainment, food samples, local celebrity judges and trophies for the winning team and the Peoples’ Champion. The first-prize-winning dish will be offered to students through UT’s food services.

Participating students are from the University’s living learning communities, including the Arts Living and Learning Community, Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation Living and Learning Community, Resident Student Association, Multicultural Leadership and Service Living and Learning Community, and the Politics, Law and Society Living and Learning Community.

Judges will include:

• Toledo Mayor Mike Bell;
• Paulette Bongratz, UT Student Government president;
• Amy Campbell, Toledo Free Press food columnist;
• Rob Campbell, chef at Revolution Grille;
• Chris Denman, chef at BGump’s 101 Restaurant and Lounge;
• Jim Dusseau, Maumee firefighter;
• Dr. Shanda Gore, UT associate vice president for equity, diversity and community engagement;
• Labib Hajjar, chef and owner of the Beirut;
• Michele Martinez, UT dean of students;
• Dan Neman, food editor of The Blade;
• Moussa Salloukh, chef at LaScola;
• Josh Wagy, founder of Smash Toledo; and
• Mary Beth Zolik, co-host of the morning show on 101.5 The River.

The event is sponsored by the First-Year Experience Program, Crib Notes, UT Dining and Hospitality Services, Dean of Students, the Office of Residence Life, and The Blade.

Media Coverage
The Independent Collegian (March 20, 2013)
The Blade (March 24, 2013)