The BC Northern Exhibition will be sizzling with culinary creation, and one of the world's most recognized chefs will be overseeing the events.
Bob Blumer is a television host of three shows seen across 20 countries, a five-time author, and the holder of seven food-related Guinness World Records. The Citizen Special Events team and the organizers of the BCNE are working together with Blumer for a cooking tournament during the city's annual fair.
"This will be in the style of the Iron Chef, where two chefs will have cooking stations side by side and when the judges say go, they have to whip up a four-course meal with the ingredients provided," said Norm Coyne, spokesman for Citizen Special Events.
There will be a one-day division for amateurs and a three-day tournament for the city's kitchen professionals.
"There will be cameras and big screens so the audience can watch what the chefs are doing, and there are prizes - cash money - for first, second and third," Coyne said. "For the pros, a lot of bragging rights are involved, and you get to share the stage with one of the most famous celebrity chefs in the world. Bob's not just dropping in at the end, he will be here for the whole event, hands-on, and he will be one of the judges."
Blumer is the host of Surreal Gourmet and Glutton for Punishment, and doubles as producer/host for World's Weirdest Restaurants.
He also wrote the bestselling cook books The Surreal Gourmet: Real Food for Pretend Chefs; The Surreal Gourmet Entertains: High-fun, Low-Stress Dinner Parties for 6-12; Off The Eaten Path: Inspired Recipes for Adventurous Cooks; Glutton For Pleasure: Signature Recipes, Epic Stories, and Surreal Etiquette; and (co-authored) Pizza on the Grill.
The PG Iron Chef event will be the entertainment centrepiece for the Flavour Arena, a new food extravaganza taking over the Kin 2 arena during the BCNE.
Only eight professional slots are available. Those interested will apply and a jury will select the eight finalists who will vie for impromptu kitchen supremacy.
