Hot Shot Cook-Off
Presented by NW Natural

You could be one of four aspiring chefs to participate in the first ever “Hot Shot Cook-Off presented by NW Natural” at the 2011 Bite of Oregon presented by Amica Insurance in front of an adoring crowd. Deadline for submission is Wed, Aug 3rd.

Here are all the details.

Objective: To give amateur chefs an opportunity to participate on the Chef Stage performing in front of a live audience in an authentic culinary competition earning the title of 2011 Hot Shot Cook-Off Winner at the 2011 Bite of Oregon. The selection process for competitors would require a public voting on the Bite of Oregon Facebook page, encouraging individuals to become a fan on the Bite of Oregon Facebook page.

When: There will be two preliminary rounds each with 2 competitors. The winner of each preliminary would go on to the final to win the title.

• Round 1: Saturday, August 13 from 12:25-1:25 pm
• Round 2: Saturday, August 13 from 1:30-2:30 pm
• Final Round: Sunday August 14 from 12:30-1:30

How: The Bite of Oregon will collaborate with event partners, use social media outlets, and post on the Bite of Oregon website to promote the event. Those interested send an email to contests@soor.org

E-mails should include:

1. A photograph
2. A written submission in 100 words or less telling us “Why you can stand the heat in the kitchen.”
3. Answers to the following:
   a. Name
   b. Age
   c. Culinary inspirations
   d. Favorite food to cook
   e. Why you love to cook

Deadline for submission is Wed, Aug 3rd. The Bite Team will review emails to select 10 potential competitors. The 10 applicants will be announced on Bite of Oregon’s Facebook page. The 4 finalists will be chosen by Facebook fans liking them on the Bite’s page. The voting period is one week long. Competitors would have a secret ingredient to work into a complementing appetizer and an entrée within a limited amount of time. Competitors would need to be prepared to create two original recipes in 20 minutes.

Who: Anyone 18 years or older is eligible.

Emcee and Judges: The two preliminary rounds will be emceed by Humorist, Motivational Speaker, and aspiring Gourmet Chef Gail Hand. The final round will be emceed by Jenna Cooper-Gross, spokesperson for NW Natural and host of Now You’re Cooking With Natural Gas and Joe V. from KPTV. Each judges’ panel will consist of 3 to 4 of well known chefs, authors, and nationally recognized food bloggers from Oregon. The Judging scale is from 1 to 10, 10 being the highest, and based on the following criteria.

Preparation: Cooking Techniques and complexity of recipe.
Presentation: Visual appeal and overall appearance

• Aroma
• Taste
• Use of Secret ingredient as an important component of dish

Prize: The winner of the final competition will win a 2011 Hot Shot Cook-Off title trophy in addition to a prize package containing a new gas grill and a gift certificate to a culinary store. Additionally, the winner would have a small write up on the social media outlets for our event partners and their winning recipes would appear on OregonLive.com in addition to possibly the FOODday section of the Oregonian.