Chef’s Challenge battles to end hunger

Similar to the popular television series “Iron Chef”, the Buskirk-Chumley Theater will have the Community Kitchen’s 4th Annual Bloomington Chef’s Challenge.

The event at 7 p.m. Sunday will showcase three of Bloomington’s top chefs who must create a meal using a local “mystery ingredient” that will be announced at the start of the competition.

The 2009 winner, David Tallent of Restaurant Tallent, will be the chef to beat as Jake Brenchley of Scholar’s Inn and Thomas Dempsey of Scenic View Restaurants challenge him in a culinary showdown.

Tallent, an Indiana native, works daily with local ingredients and said he is not stressed about this year’s competition.

For Tallent, he said the focus is on the support generated for the Community Kitchen and their mission to curb hunger.

“Every year we raise more money and feed more people,” Tallent said. “Hopefully we’re making some sort of mark on clearing up this issue.”

Seeing food as a medium to bring people together, Tallent remarked on how food is a universal symbol of communion, helping strengthen relationships and preserve traditions.

As Bloomington attracts students and travelers from around the world, Tallent said he hopes that emphasis on local ingredients will help address the need for the community to support its farmers, chefs and those in need of food assistance.

For the Community Kitchen, the importance of proper nutrition is the cornerstone of their mission: offering nutritional education and alleviating hunger throughout Monroe County.

Tim Clouger, assistant director of the Community Kitchen, said he created the Chef’s Challenge because it models what the staff and volunteers do each day: create meals with food that is available with donations from the food bank, restaurants and local farmers.

Money generated from the event will directly support the numerous programs provided by the Community Kitchen, which serves an average of 591 meals daily to anyone in need, 61 percent of whom are children under the age of 18.

In an area where countless restaurants line the streets and culinary movements seem to spring forth, it raises the question of why the issue of hunger is so prevalent in Monroe County.

“I suspect Bloomington is particularly affected by the issue of hunger because it is surrounded by rural areas. Many of those who receive meals live within walking distance of the Community Kitchen,” Clouger said.

While most IU students rarely pass the boundaries of campus, Clouger said he sees how the issue of hunger in Bloomington may be overlooked.

However, Clouger said community involvement is key toward making progress on improving the issue of hunger in Monroe County.

“Everyone can do something to help — whether it’s through a financial or food donation, volunteering their time at an organization or attending an event like the Chef’s Challenge.”

Want to attend chef’s challenge?
Bistro seats are available for $100, which includes an up-close look at the competition as well as a taste of the dishes prepared by each chef. General admission is $25. Tickets can be purchased at the Community Kitchen, Bloomingfoods or at the door.