PGITI Masterchef Season 3

Return to the Classics

Temperatures are dropping fast but what we have in store for you will send them skyrocketing right in the dead of winter. Ladies and gentlemen, dust those old cookbooks and start practicing, because….

MASTER CHEF SEASON 3 IS FAST APPROACHING!!!!!

There’s something about competitions that brings out the best, and the worst in people! Love the adrenaline rush, that lust for being #1, the sweet smell of success, and don’t mind leaving a trail of trampled bodies of friends and their crushed aspirations in your wake? If yes to all of the above, then this is the competition for you!   PGITI Masterchef competition, where friendships are put through the wringer, emotions run high, yet the fun is off the grid!!! This competition is not for the faint of heart!

If you’ve been with us a while, you’ll know there must be something new! So, read on, and read carefully. Every detail could be your gateway to success. Happy cooking y’all!

The Teams:

• Like last year we will have 8 teams of 4.
• What’s new about the teams: This year, only 3 of each team will be cooking. The remaining contestant will not cook but will, never the less, play a very central role. That person will be ‘The Ambassador’ of the team. Details of the role to follow in the next section.

The Cooking:

1. Our theme this Season is: Return to the Classics which is basically a recreation of a classic dish.
2. The Competition will be composed of 2 rounds and one final faceoff round.
3. Round 1: 4 of the 8 teams will be randomly selected and will compete for the win. The winner from round 1 will face the winner from round 2 in the final faceoff round.
4. Round 2: the remaining 4 teams will compete and the winner will face the winner from round 1 for the big win.
5. Each round will start off with each team sending off their Ambassador to a Blind Tasting Test: the 4 Ambassadors will be blindfolded and presented with a number of confusingly similar food items to taste and identify (we love watching you squirm!). The item least identified across the board will become the star ingredient of the Classic Dish that the remaining 3 cooks of each team will be required to create. Each team will prepare a plate for the judges to critique as well as one large platter for the rest of the spectators to taste and enjoy.

The Judging:

• Four people will be judging your dishes each round.
• Judging will be based on: Use of the star ingredient from the Blind Tasting Test, taste, presentation, and creativity.

The Pantry:

The pantry will be set up with a large variety of ingredients to aid you in completing your dish. We are including a list of available items for you to consider while thinking about your dishes:

1 pint each: penne, egg noodles, spaghetti, jasmine rice, quinoa, beans, gran sugar, powdered sugar, brown sugar (1 bag), flour, panko, diced tomatoes, couscous

1 cup each: Vinegar, Balsamic Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Worcestershire, Honey, 2 types of dried fruit (raisins, figs), 2 types of nuts (almonds/cashews)

4 oz each: baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch,

12 each corn tortillas (wrapped), 1 pack flour tortillas, assorted bread items

Assorted dried herbs/spices

Vegetables:

yellow onions, zucchini, carrots, red peppers, jalapenos, apples, lemon, lime, orange, tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms

1 each: bunch of celery, head romaine, bag of spinach, head green cabbage, ginger, cucumber,

Assorted fresh herbs- mainly parsley/cilantro

Dairy:

1 pint each: sour cream, ricotta, mayo, milk, mustard

1 each: flat of eggs, quart of heavy cream,

2 # each: cheddar block, shredded mozzarella, other cheeses, butter

Ovens on at 350, grill/griddle on

Cart for sharing between all groups: Blender, Food Processor, Immersion Blender

Event Agenda:
9:00      Doors Open
9:15      Pull rounds for teams, explain rules/times
9:20      Round 1- blind taste test- least recognized used
9:30      Round 1 competition begins- 40 minutes
10:10    End round 1, present plates
10:15    Judges tasting, reset kitchen
10:35    Announce Winner Round 1
10:40    Round 2- blind taste test- least recognized used
10:50    Round 2 Comp begins- 40 minutes
11:30    End round 2, present plates
11:35    Judges taste, reset kitchen
11:50    Announce Winner Round 2
12:00    Round 3- blind taste test- least recognized used
12:30    End Round 3, present plates
12:40    Winner Announced and Award Ceremony
12:45    Party Over

Watch Outs:

• No Cookbooks or Cell Phones or help from other attendees is allowed.
• Please mind basic kitchen safety: walking with hot things, sharp things, cooking for other people so clean hands, no cross contamination
• Please wear comfortable clothing, closed toe shoes, and tie back long hair.  Aprons will be provided by Out Of Thyme Kitchen Studio.  Tools will also be provided.  Please do not bring in your own tools or knives.