Last night was so much fun! It was packed with local food, fun people and great energy!
A few weeks ago I was invited to attend Fire in the City as a guest judge. Fire in the City is a competition dining series that takes place all over North Carolina. It kicked off in Charlotte last week and will continue through the end of September when a final chef takes the top prize. It’s a lot like the TV show Chopped, but it features local chefs and local ingredients… and you actually get to taste the food, not just imagine what it tastes like from your couch. Win!
We bought Ryan a ticket so I could have a hot date and the two of us drove to the Bonterra Dining and Wine room a little after 6 p.m. last night. Since Ryan was driving, I was in charge of manning his phone and selecting team members for his fantasy football draft.
(This picture was snapped once we were parked, don’t worry.)
Once Ryan’s team was mostly complete, he set his phone to auto-pick and we headed inside!
The event was set to begin at 7 p.m., so we had about 15 minutes to enjoy a glass of cabernet before taking our seats.
We were seated at a lively table with some fun folks from the D9 Brewing Company who recently opened their own craft microbrewery in Cornelius, North Carolina.
Since D9 Brewing Company provided beer for the event, I was able to try their seasonal pumpkin beer and thought it was fantastic! It was also quite interesting to hear all about the growing pains of their small company from Andrew (one of the founders) and the way they had to open hundreds of cans of Libby’s pumpkin by hand to make the beer. I assured him their effort was worth it! Loved that beer!
Located at our place at our table was a little card with our name on it that instructed us to download a voting app to use throughout the evening.
The app allowed everyone to vote and score each dish anonymously. Additionally, we were never told which chef made which dish. I thought that was a great way to remove any bias from the voting and keep votes focused solely on the food.
A little after 7 p.m. the event kicked off as the enthusiastic host told us more about the food we would be enjoying, the chefs competing and the secret ingredients.
Earlier that day Chef Brent Martin from The Summit Room and Chef Jon Spencer from Epic Chophouse were told that they had to incorporate each of the two secret ingredients into two of the three course they were going to prepare for 150 guests that evening. The secret ingredients for last night’s event were Fogwood Food blueberry syrup and ribeye from the Back Creek Angus Farm in North Carolina.
As the courses were served, we had no idea who prepared what but had a blast tasting the delicious food and discussing it with everyone at our table.
Course One:
Certified Angus Beef Brand Heart of Rib Carpaccio, Pickled Vegetable & Arugula Salad Laced with Fogwood Foods Blueberry Syrup Mustard Vinaigrette
Grilled Certified Angus Beef Brand Beef with Thai Green Mango Salad, Curried Yucca Crisps, Red Pepper Oil
For the first course, both dishes looked beautiful and tasted great, but my favorite was definitely Chef Brent Martin’s beef with the Thai mango salad and curried yucca crisps. It was full of flavor and the yucca crisps were unreal. I want to try to recreate them at home!
Course Two:
Certified Angus Beef Brand Ribeye Spinalis Braciole stuffed with Johnston County Smoked Pork Shoulder, Ashe County Romano Cheese & Herbs; Served over U.A.V. Hay Mozzarella, Ashe County Romano, Goat Cheese, Fogwood Foods Blueberry Syrup Risotto with Cabernet Blueberry Sauce
Seared Certified Angus Beef® Brand Eye of Rib, Mashed Beef Fat Fingerlings, Fogwood Foods Blueberry Syrup & Shallot Jam, Pickled Chard Ribs, Blueberry Demi, Chive Oil
Course two had our table divided. I preferred Chef Jon Spencer’s ribeye spinalis braciole (the first dish) and thought the accompanying risotto was wonderful. Chef Brent Martin’s fingerling potatoes were awesome but found the meat in his dish a little underseasoned, which seemed to be the popular opinion at our table as well.
Course Three:
Marquise au Chocolat over Pistachio & Fogwood Foods Blueberry Syrup Crust, with Blueberry Syrup Gastrique
Mascarpone Semi Freddo with Fogwood Foods Blueberry Syrup & Orange, Maple Praline Almonds, Cat’s Tongue Cookies, Almond Cream, Wine-Poached Summer Berries, Blueberry Mousse
The third course of the evening featured my favorite dish of the night! Chef Jon Spencer’s marquise au chocolat dish was on another level of amazing. Our table could not stop singing its praises. The pistachio crust was phenomenal and I have already put in a request for this recipe! I’m salivating right now just thinking about it!
With all of the courses complete, the chefs were introduced to a chosen theme song (so fun!) and we were able to learn more about them which made the whole event feel a little more personal.
Then it was time for the big unveiling! All of the scores we submitted throughout the evening using the competition dining app were tallied and revealed on a screen, course by course. It was also at this time that we found out what chef made what dish!
In the end Chef Jon Spencer won by less than one point. It was crazy close and both chefs truly deserved to win. (In case you are curious, you may see how the scoring broke down course-by-course here.)
Ryan and I didn’t get home until close to 11 p.m. and spent most of the drive talking about the food and the event. It was so much fun!
Today
I opted out of my morning workout this morning, but I am hoping I’ll be able to sneak in a run or something with Sadie before we hit the road for Florida this afternoon. It’s MOVING TIIIIIIME.
Hope you guys are having a great Wednesday!
Emily @ twodesigncents says
You and your husband are such a cute couple! Looks like such a fun night!
Brittany says
Wow that sounds like an incredible evening! Hope we get to a see a few of those recipes pop up in the future! Good luck on your move from FL to NC! Moving is always tough and stressful, but remembering the end goal, a new house and new decorating fun definitely makes it more enjoyable 🙂
Linz says
yum! looks like a fun and tasty event! good luck moving today! 🙂
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance says
I’m jealous! That sounds like so much fun. I just looked the event up because I noticed they have one in the “triad” too, but it already took place :/. I hope it happens again next year! Good luck moving – it truly isn’t fun, but I’m sure having movers will make it much more manageable.
Julie says
They are planning to do it again next year. It really was a blast!!! I’d love to go again, too. 🙂
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
What a fun time!
Have a safe trip to Florida.
Julie says
Thanks!!
Laura says
So cool! I would love to go to something like that. 😀 And GOOD LUCK with your move today! (My husband and I will be making a similar move in a few months, so I’m ‘takning notes’ from your move!)
Laura says
That is such a great idea for an event! Sounds like a blast!
Kaelene@Unlocking Kiki says
This event sounds like such a fun evening! I always wish I could taste the food they prepare on Chopped. And I love your skirt!
Julie says
Thanks so much, Kaelene!
Kate @ Trekking Kate says
What a fun event! All the dishes look unbelievably good! Enjoy your time with your family 🙂
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige says
Wah, how FUN! I’m huge into Top Chef right now, and this kind of night sounds right up my alley!
Michelle Hunt (@PeachyPalate) says
Amazing food!!! Love the combo of chocolate and pistachios…they’re like caramel in nut form!!!
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
Yum the meats and dessert look great! Good luck with moving!
Beks says
That sounds like a blast! My mom and I adore Chopped. I wonder if they have events like that in Omaha? 😀
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
Whoa that sounds like such a cool event! I love watching food network but am always so sad that I can’t taste the dishes- ha!
Amanda says
OMG all those dishes look amaaazing! What fun!
Good luck with the move!!!
kristin @ W [H] A T C H says
so fun to get to be a judge!
megan says
That looked like a blast! I’d love to do that one day:) Have a safe drive back to FL!!
Alison P. says
Wow…looks like a lot of fun!!!
Good luck with moving! I have moved a lot in my adult life but never out of state. But if I do again, I am totally with you about having movers!
Skinny Fitalicious says
Love how all the meals are so tiny. That’s perfect for me because I always like to try a little of everything.
Julie says
It definitely helped us pace ourselves!
Amanda Maggio says
HOW fun!! We would love to do something like this around here. Glad you guys had a great time 🙂 Would love to know your outfit ensamble!!
Christina M says
That looks, sounds, (probably smelled & tasted!) like so much fun!! What an awesome thing to be a part of! Great way to kick off a super fun moving week! Good luck with everything and safe trip back to Florida!!
Alexa @ travelmiamor says
Its 9:40 in the morning and this post made me VERY hungry!!! 🙂
Megan @ Piece of Kake says
Looks like a really fun event and the food looks really good! charlotte has so many fun things to offer, the more I read your blog the more my fiances wishes (moving to Charlotte) might come true 🙂
Julie says
DO IT!! 🙂
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
How fun!! Omg I would love to go to something like this! I would just need a red-meat free version! 😀
Christine@ Apple of My Eye says
What a fun date night!! I’ve always been jealous of those who actually get to taste the food that chefs make on those cook-offs on TV. Glad you got to experience it first hand!
april says
good luck with the big move! =)
jan klein says
I’d like one of each please!! Happy moving! I know you’ll be so happy once you all get settled with all of your stuff in one place.
Natalie @ Never Serious Blog says
Julie, I love you DEARLY, but it’s just downright cruel to tease me with pictures of a glass of cabernet and delicious decadent dinners this early in the morning. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m going to have to figure out a way to tackle this humpday that doesn’t involve ditching out on work for wine Wednesday 😉
Julie says
Hahaha! 🙂
Elisabeth says
Good luck with your move! I’m actually typing this while the movers bring everything into our new place in Ohio (just moved back after a year in Raleigh, NC – loved it there, but too far from my family!).
Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed says
That event sounds like so much fun… but I have no idea how Ryan was ok with doing his draft picks while driving and then doing auto pick! My fantasy draft is tonight and it is serious business haha!
Good luck with your move 🙂
Sarah @ KS Runner says
Good luck with the move!
That sounds like an amazing event! My sisters live in Charlotte, I need to tell them to go next year!!
Julie says
You should go with them! 😉 It really was a lot of fun!
Sarah @ KS Runner says
I would love to! I need to come visit them sooner than next year! 🙂
Annette Perkins (@FitnessPerks) says
You two are so cute! What a fun date night <3
Good luck moving!!
Ashley @ Sweet carolina belle says
I am bummed that I missed this when it was in Raleigh. I will make sure to be on the lookout for it next summer. Good luck with the move!!
haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine.com says
oh YUM. that chocolate dish looks aamaaaazing. definitely would have been my favorite course of the evening!
Lisa says
Looks like it was an amazing evening. Is there a link to follow the rest of the competition? Would love to see how it progresses. Safe travels to Florida and happy packing.
Julie says
Yes!! You can follow along here: http://www.competitiondining.com/events/fire-in-the-city
Emily @ CFGF says
I would LOVE to have the opportunity to judge something like this. It’s my dream job to host Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Karen says
I was a fantasy football draft assistant last night too. It’s a little pressure, 2 minutes goes quick!
journalsbyjane says
Looks like last night was fun and delicious!!!
Good luck moving today Julie!
Kim @FITsique says
Wow, I’m impressed he trusted a) to do the draft on his phone, and b) to let you do it for him! Lol! The food looks absolutely amazing!
Julie says
He had me read every single player to him… I wasn’t trusted to make the “big decisions.” 🙂 Ha!
talklesssaymor says
CUTE skirt!!! Love it! Good luck with the move!!
Julie says
Thank you!
Al says
Ha! So impressed with Ryan’s ability to enjoy an evening out during his draft. I’m showing this to my husband. 😉 Our entire day is scheduled around the draft, and we do it all twice, since he’s in two leagues.
Julie says
Haha! Ryan checked his phone a few times during cocktail hour even though it was on auto-pick. 🙂 He wasn’t totally checked out. 😉
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
What a fun event! Good luck with your move and enjoy the time with your family in Florida! Safe travels.
Angie says
What a fun date night! I’m super impressed that Ryan was able to pull himself away from his phone and set it on auto-draft. My boyfriend just had his friends over on Saturday for their fantasy football draft and they take it sooo seriously. Haha!
Your skirt is so cute! Mind sharing where its from?
Ashley says
I went to Fire in the Triangle last year and loved it! NC is amazing! Y’all should check out Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours….great time and awesome, local food!
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
That is awesome!! How on earth did you get involved with that after just moving to Charlotte? Very cool!
Kayla @ Blondes Have More Run says
I would love to do something like that! I’m a total foodie! Each dish looks amazing. There’s no way I would have been able to pick just one.
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
What a neat event — it sounds like so much fun!
Safe travels 🙂
Linda @ Fit Fed and Happy says
Oh wow oh wow, that looks like quite a treat! Three gourmet dishes….mmm!
Hannah says
I’ve been fortunate enough to go to Fire on the Dock here in Wrightsville Beach the past two years & I have to say the competition only gets better! We’re hoping to make it to the Final Fire in Raleigh this year to taste the best in the state!
Purelytwins says
The food looked incredible!!! And Julie love your hair, please do a tutorial on how you do it 🙂
Good luck with the move! Let us know if you ever need anything!