The best chefs from some of the region’s most popular restaurants will compete for the title of Iron Chef Hamburg on Nov. 6.
“It’s a great day to come out and sample lots of foods, see some cooking demonstrations, witness the Iron Chef cook-off, and support the Hamburg Area Education Foundation,” said David B. Shefter, Food Service Director, Hamburg Area School District.
The 6th annual Iron Chef Hamburg Competition and Benefit Auction, held at Hamburg High School from 1 to 5 p.m., is a fundraiser for the Hamburg Area Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps provide grants and educational opportunities for students and adults of the Hamburg Area School District.
On the first Sunday of every November for the past six years, the Hamburg Area Education Foundation hosts Iron Chef, which is a competition among three of the best local chefs. The competitors have 35 minutes to make a dish.
The three chefs competing for Iron Chef this year are Michael Martino of Melanie’s Medleys in Schwenksville, David Shefter Jr. of Penn Werner Hotel in Wernersville, and Troy Vance Woytovich of Lake Wynonah Lodge in Auburn. Martino won the Iron Chef title last year.
There will be seven establishments in the People’s Choice Competition.
“They are all going to be creating their best dish using the “Featured” ingredient Spanish Onions,” said Shefter. “Every ticket holder will get one vote to help determine next year’s Iron Chef Competitors.”
The top two from the People’s Choice will challenge the Reigning Iron Chef Champion next year.
There will also be about 30 vendors that will have samples to taste, all included in the ticket price.
“Many students volunteer to support the event in all areas, setting up the week of the event, making the videos, preparing foods, putting the stands together, helping during the event, And much more,” said Shefter.
Shefter said the community is involved in a few ways.
“Several parts of the Education Foundation is really worked on by the community rather than the staff of the school district. There is tremendous community support as demonstrated by the many local businesses that have become sponsors of this event. One of our vendor stands is a group doing a fundraiser for a person in the midst of a battle with cancer,” said Shefter.
