State’s Only American Culinary Federation Competition Set for Hot Springs | Restaurants

Chefs, students to compete for $8,000 in cash and scholarships May 16

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – May 3, 2012 – Nationally and regionally renowned chefs will compete from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, in the state’s only American Culinary Federation-sanctioned culinary competition. Contestants will compete for more than $8,000 in cash and scholarships in the event, which be held at the Hot Springs Convention Center. Admission is free, and the public is encouraged to attend.

Area “foodies” are familiar with the many “Iron Chef” style culinary competitions that have been held in Arkansas, but ACF-sanctioned events differ in many ways. Competitors are allowed to do very minimal prep before the event, then have 15 minutes to set up, 60 minutes to fabricate and cook the main entrée, which this year is duck. They then have 10 minutes to plate four complete entrée plates, followed by a 15-minute clean-up period. Competitors also must submit recipes and a photograph of their dish before being chosen to compete and supply all of their own food, tools, cookware, and china.

Judges for the event must have won gold medals in all categories of competition, gone through ACF training sessions, and have experience as apprentices at other competitions. At least one judge must have international competition experience.

The May 16 ACF competition will feature chefs who have competed internationally as well as chefs who have excelled around the country and across Arkansas. There will also be a student competition featuring soon-to-be-chefs who will compete alongside the professional chefs.

The ACF competition is being held in conjunction with the annual Ben E. Keith Food Expo.