Ready, Aim, Fire on the Rock

By Jeff Eason

It’s hot, it’s intense, and it’s got every Blowing Rock restaurant buzzing with anticipation. It’s the annual Fire on the Rock Chef’s Challenge, an event that has become one of the centerpieces of the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival.

This year’s Fire on the Rock will take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19 at the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock. It will feature eight chefs who have earned their place in the competition through head-to-head competitions that have taken place at Crippen’s Country Inn and Restaurant over the past two months.

The competition begins on Saturday morning and continues throughout the afternoon as chefs face off in head-to-head competition. On Sunday, the two chefs with the highest judges’ scores will try to cook their way into the winner’s circle.

Saturday’s schedule features Chef Chuck Nelson vs. Chef Marietta DeBriere at 11 a.m., Chef James Welch vs. Chef Bill Greene at 2 p.m., Chef Michael Barbato vs. Chef Guy Branaman at 5 p.m., and Chef Guy Thomas vs. Chef Dominic Geraghty at 8 p.m.

Tickets to Saturday heats are $5 each or $10 for all four showdowns. The final showdown takes place at 2 p.m. on Sunday and tickets to this main event are $7 per person.

At each of the Saturday and Sunday events, a special seating or “Chef’s Table Seat” is available for $50 per ticket. With only four seats in the front row, attendees will be the special guests of the competing chefs and will sample each dish at the competition. These special guests will also be recognized by the master of ceremonies.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Blowing Rock Fire and Rescue Department.

For more information, or to make reservations, call the Hayes Center Box Office at (828) 295-9627.

Late Night Pastry Party

As part of the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival, Crippen’s Country Inn and Restaurant will host a Late Night Pastry Party. The event is on Friday, starting at 10 p.m. and will feature fine desserts, flaming coffees, champagnes, port wines, cocktails, sauternes, ice wines, single-malt scotches, single barrel bourbons, and fine cigars.

The Late Night Pastry Party will be your chance to meet WNC magazine editor-in-chief Eric Seeger and Top Chef finalist Carla Hall Lyons, two of this year’s judges for the Fire on the Rock Chef’s Challenge.

Admission to the pastry party is $40, all inclusive. For more information, call Crippens at (828) 295-3487.

For more information on this weekend’s Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival, see the special publication in this week’s edition of The Blowing Rocket.