HCC Profiles: Local Chefs Engage in Food Fight

The smell of grilled pork wafts through the air as chefs bend over their work stations, furiously chopping, slicing, and stirring as the minutes on a giant timer tic down. They work in silence for the most part, occasionally eyeing their competition or wiping their brow where sweat begins to form.

No, this isn’t an episode of “Chopped,” or any other Food Network fare for that matter. The four competitors are local chefs, battling it out to be named champion in an event to raise money for the American Association of University Women (AAUW).  

“The Food Fight was created two years ago from a meeting of the AAUW Harford County branch's Educational Fund committee,” Food Fight Committee member Elizabeth Holmes wrote in an email. “We were brainstorming ways to raise money for the Educational Fund. A hybrid of Iron Chef and Chopped evolved. Last year was our first FOOD FIGHT; we raised about $1000.”

HCC hosted the event Monday on the Student Center patio. Due to inclement weather, the Food Fight began about 30 minutes behind schedule. But once it did, one could tell this was something quite different from what the Food Network offers. Spectators lounged under umbrellas on the grassy hill overlooking the patio, and the judges were local residents seated at six different tables. The sun started to poke out as “If I Had A Million Dollars” by Barenaked Ladies played over the speakers.

The chefs participating in the event were Chef Kristina Sciarra of Laurrapin Grille, Chef Charlie Lyon of MacGregor’s Restaurant, Chef Scott Opdyke of The Hickory Lodge and Chef Yale Koplovitz of Pairings Bistro.

Similar to cooking shows, the chefs were tasked with creating culinary delights by using specified items in a given amount time. They had 20 minutes to create an appetizer and 40 minutes to create an entrée. Judges graded the dishes on taste, presentation and originality.

Valerie Swain, coordinator for assessment and institutional effectiveness at HCC, stated, “I judged last year and it was a lot of fun. You get to play like you’re on the Food Network.”

As the chefs prepared their meals, steam rising in the setting sunlight, emcee Wayne Hepler kept the mood light.

“Did you know a restaurant called the Beijing Duck can seat 9,000 people?” He asked the crowd. He also shared other food trivia, such as the original name of Twinkies (Little Shortcake Fingers).

When the results for the evening’s judging were revealed, returning champion Chef Kristina was named the winner.

“This is for good charity,” Sciarra said. “Also, it’s a lot of fun and I love seeing these people!”