Applewood’s “Chopped” Competition Returns for Season 2
Applewood’s “Chopped” Competition Returns for Season 2
By Heath Braunstein, Director of Dining Services and Culinary Institute of Applewood
Why just watch Chopped, the competitive cooking competition program on the Food Network, when you can be an active competitor right here at Applewood?
Don’t worry, there’s a little less pressure here and you won’t have the blaring television lights in your eyes…
Our Culinary Institute of Applewood (CIA) launched this delicious competition in 2017 and it was so popular, we were renewed for a second season!
The Rules and the 2018 Mystery Basket
Last week, we began the small team competition with the presentation of the Mystery Basket ingredients from which competitors will create their custom recipes for one entrée and two side dishes.
This year’s challenge ingredients include salmon fillet, parsnips, leeks and Mandarin oranges.
On January 25 at 3 pm on the Performing Arts stage, I will have the honor of judging the resident competitors’ recipes along with Applewood Executive Chef Charles Arolla, when the entire community convenes to watch the Chopped Finale.
Team entries will be judged on:
- Use of all required ingredients
- Culinary creativity
- Accuracy of culinary technique and recipe documentation
Each champion from the winning team will receive an inscribed crystal trophy, CIA-embroidered chef hat and apron and a personalized certificate recognizing outstanding culinary excellence.
The Dining Services team will then prepare the winning dishes for everyone in attendance to sample. Copies of the three winning recipes will also be available.
“There is no shortage of things to do at Applewood, but the CIA
programs are really my favorite,” says resident Ellen Meriney.
“Even if you don’t cook, the events are a fun social activity,
especially during the winter.”
Taste of Applewood “Pop-Ups Delight Residents
CIA Tracked 115 Resident’s Culinary Passports
A record-breaking 115 residents participated in Applewood’s CIA program this past year. Those who attended a minimum of 10 CIA monthly lectures and interactive cooking sessions during 2017 will be entered into a random drawing to win some exciting culinary-themed prizes, which will be awarded January 25t at our Chopped Awards Ceremony.
Dine the Way You Like, When You Like at Applewood
Residents don’t just enjoy our cuisine at Applewood–they can also learn how to prepare our most popular dishes in their own homes.
Each month, we offer cooking classes, nutrition education, wine tastings, and more. Whether you cook—or you don’t—join us every month for a laugh, a glass of wine and sample a new food, or two or three.
We’re all foodies, in one way or another. Our mission at the CIA and Dining Services is to keep our cuisine fresh and exciting to the palate.
Find out more about the Culinary Institute of Applewood, part of Applewood’s exclusive Engaged Living™ program.