Baltimore-Washington area chefs are sharpening their knives for the kick-off of The Mason Dixon Master Chef Tournament, Maryland’s own live “Top-Chef” competition. This week chefs will be competing using a protein from Sponsor Phillips Seafood – for “Battle of the Crab”.

Guests attending this interactive live competition will be more than just spectators, as they watch these top chefs prepare original appetizer, entrée, and dessert creations in less than an hour for three expert judges and up to 28 ‘Guest Judges’. Guests are invited to stand right across from chefs to witness the skills and techniques up close and interact with the chefs as they compete. A few guests will even be selected to taste and judge the chefs’ entrée creations alongside the expert judges and “Judging Experience” ticket holders.

In addition, guests arriving in time for Happy Hour (6-7pm) will enjoy complementary appetizers and wine tasting, as well as 2-for-1 drinks at the 70 seat bar that features over 80 craft beers. This week’s featured wines will be from “The Pairing Wine Collection”, a French wine that was named a Best Buy in Wine Enthusiast magazine this year.

Tickets*: $25 for general admission (includes tax)

$45 for judging experience (includes tax)

Available for purchase at: www.masondixonmasterchef.com

*Tickets must be purchased in advance for the above pricing. $30/ $50 at the door.

Who:

The line-up for the next week’s competitions includes:

Match 1, Monday, June 25 - Chef Billy Hughes, Executive Chef of Barracudas Restaurant and Bar versus Chef Moses Jackson of Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club

Phillip’s “Battle of the Crab” brings together two very different approaches to crab. First we have Baltimore born and raised Chef Billy Hughes who loves cooking with Crab meat and approaches it with the flavors of the Chesapeake. Billy is a machine in the kitchen and has a passion to create signature dishes screaming with flavor.

However, Chef Moses Jackson who was born and raised in New Orleans, and is inspired by the Cajun and Creole influences of the area as well as the bounty of Lake Pontchartrain, is not to be underestimated. Chef Moses loves to cook and incorporate the techniques and ingredients of the gulf.  The flavors of New Orleans is legendary and Moses is striving for legendary status with his execution of Jumbalayas, etouffees, and beignets to make Cafe du Monde jealous.

Match 2, Tuesday, June 26 - Chef Patrick Crooks of Roy’s Restaurant, Baltimore versus Chef Fabio Mura of Chazz: A Bronx Original

The “Battle of the Crab” will continue on Tuesday night. Chef Patrick “Opie” Crooks is a an extreme chef with volumes of food knowledge including classic French and Japanese technique mixed with the latest mad science (i.e activa meat glue, liquid nitrogen, sous ved cooking). He has cooked for many a celebrity and on many occasions has been flown out to cook with Roy Yamaguchi famous chef and owner of Roy’s locations throughout the world. You never know what Opie might do, you only know it will boggle your mind and tantalize your taste buds.

Chef Fabio Mura was born in far away Sardinia, Italy and trained in Europe. He has a fantastic pallet and a true passion to put out unbelievably fresh and flavorful food. Chef Fabio can be seen “mothering his dishes” starting with hand selecting the best ingredients, gently stirring, adding a kiss of spice here and there while whispering encouraging words as the dish reaches maturity and peaks in flavor. Fabio will not serve any food that does not meet his exacting standards, which could prove deadly in a time-limited competition.

Additional dates and other chefs participating can be found at: www.masondixonmasterchef.com/schedule-results

When:  

June 25 and 26 (6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)

6:00 p.m. – Happy Hour (2-for-1 drinks, free appetizers and free wine tasting)

6:30 p.m. – Cold Prep Begins

7:00 p.m. – Chef Competition

8:00pm – Judging Begins

Why: Celebrate local cuisine and local talent while supporting an important cause. Ten percent of net proceeds will go to Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, a nonprofit organization that delivers nutritious meals, personal contact and related services to homebound individuals. www.mealsonwheelsmd.org