2012 Famously Hot Master Chef Crowned at State Fair
October 15, 2012
Chef de Cuisine Daniel Wood of Blue Marlin Takes This Year’s Title;
Oliver Gospel Mission Gets a New Commercial Kitchen
The fierce but appetizing competition pitted Columbia’s three hottest chefs – as chosen by public vote on Facebook – in a no-holds-barred cook-off for the title.
Executive Chef Travis Ellis from Thirsty Fellow, Executive Chef Carlos Brown from Momo’s Bistro, and Chef de Cuisine Daniel Wood of Blue Marlin prepared for the competition for weeks. However, they only had one hour to create a three-course meal with sustainable ingredients from all over the state that were unveiled just minutes before the competition began.
“The clock was ticking and the chefs and their crews were cooking feverishly,” said State Fair General Manager Gary Goodman. “As the hour went by, the WLTX tent filled with mouthwatering smells and the crowds were anticipating the final countdown to see what the chefs prepared.”
The Royal Chef, Darren McGrady, best-selling cookbook author and former chef to Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana and Princes William and Harry, acted as Master of Ceremonies and Head Judge. McGrady checked in with the chefs throughout the hour for updates as they were cooking.
When the chefs finished cooking, Chef McGrady, along with fellow judges Blake McCormick, Executive Chef at EVO in North Charleston; Mrs. Patricia Moore-Pastides, author of the Greek Revival cookbook; and Chef Troy Gagliardo of television’s Tuesdays with Troy sampled the remarkable dishes and deliberated.
“When the chefs brought down the final dishes for judging, I knew we had something special sitting in front of us,” said Head Judge Darren McGrady. “The talent at this competition is some of the best I’ve seen. The culinary scene in Columbia is excellent.”
During deliberations, a sea of zombies – actually the enormously talented Unbound Dance Company – flooded into the tent, dancing to Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’. A large crowd gathered to take in the troupe’s flash mob performance in the center isle of the WLTX tent.
“The entertainment was terrific, and the excitement and anticipation kept building as the crowd got more and more anxious for the showdown judges’ decision,” said Goodman.
After much deliberation by the judges, Chef McGrady and WLTX-TV anchor and local celebrity Darci Strickland made the announcement: Chef Daniel Wood of Blue Marlin is the 2012 Famously Hot Master Chef.
“The hour went by so quickly,” said Chef Wood. “It was an honor to cook with these chefs, and winning the title is a real thrill.”
But Chef Wood wasn’t the only winner last night. Once again this year, one of the full commercial kitchens provided by General Sales Company for use in the Showdown was given to a local charity.
“It’s my pleasure to tell you that this year’s recipient of the kitchen equipment has been around since 1888, and has fed those in need more than 72,000 meals,” said General Sales owner Larry Polk. “We’re very, very happy to award this kitchen to Columbia’s Oliver Gospel Mission.”
The Famously Hot Chef Showdown was presented by the S.C. State Fair, created by Post No Bills, in partnership with General Sales Company, Whole Foods Market Columbia, WLTX-TV, American Culinary Federation—Midlands Chapter, Sustainable Midlands, Certified S.C. Grown, the S.C. Hospitality Association, the Greater Columbia Restaurant Association and ProStart.
The S.C. State Fair continues through Oct. 21 with rides, food and entertainment. For more information on the Famously Hot Chef Showdown, and other events and event partners, please contact Nancy Smith, of the S.C. State Fair at (803) 799-3387 ext. 16 or e-mail [email protected].
The South Carolina State Fair is a self-supporting charitable organization dedicated to educating young adults in South Carolina, and to building awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of agriculture in the state. For more information, visit www.scstatefair.org.
