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Ashland's Food and Wine Classic starts today
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Neil Clooney, winner of the Chef Showdown 2007, 2008
The 3rd Annual Food and Wine Classic, sponsored by the Ashland Visitor and Convention Bureau, starts tonight with Weisinger’s of Ashland Winery pouring new releases at a reception at the Ashland Springs Hotel.
On Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7-8, from 9:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m., there will be workshops on hand-rolling sushi and making chevre appetizers and desserts. Cardiologist Dr. Jim Cook will talk Saturday about a healthy heart diet and Winchester Inn’s General Manager and Certified Sommelier Drew Gibbs will offer wine education class on both days.
A Chef Showdown with eight local chefs competing for the title of Ashland's Top Chef of 2009 takes place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Ashland Armory. Chefs will learn the main ingredient seconds before the starting bell. They will have 70 minutes to complete their dish.
One of this year’s judges is Neil Clooney of Dragonfly Café and Gardens, the reigning Iron Chef Oregon as well as Ashland's Top Chef in 2007 and 2008. He says the judges will be scoring:
- Taste and texture
- Presentation
- Cooking techniques
- Use of mystery ingredient
- Cleanliness
During the Chef Showdown, vendors will be passing out tastes of cheese, chocolate, bread and wine. Wineries include EdenVale Winery, Slagle Creek Vineyards, South Stage Cellars, Troon Vineyards, Weisinger's of Ashland and Wild Rose Vineyard.
Imagine the excitement with the clock counting down to zero. The chefs garnish their dishes and agonize over uncorrected flaws. The crowd – some waving posters and wearing T-shirts supporting their favorite chef – find a way to clap while holding wine glasses. The judges take it all in, then decide which one will be invited to the state-wide Iron Chef competition in Portland.
READ MORE about the Food and Wine Classic in Janet Eastman's story in the latest issue of the Oregon Wine Press.
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