Patriotic Pals win inaugural Sheppard Iron Chef

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Vernon Cunningham
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The smells of a summer cook-off were in the air as Sheppard hosted its inaugural Iron Chef competition at the Community Activity Center July 17.

Sheppard's Iron Chef competition featured eight teams given one hour to prepare an appetizer, a main dish and dessert using a package of pre-defined ingredients, a secret ingredient and an ingredient of the competitor's choosing.

The Patriotic Pals team won the competition by grilling Philly cheese steak sandwiches with parmesan and cream cheese, squash tomato brochette, and a peach dessert.

The Iron Chef competition started with each team picking up a grilling package of ingredients. Once the judges told them to start, each team worked to create a platter that would be judged on presentation, taste, use of ingredients and other criteria.

All of the teams entered the contest with creative team names and dressed up in a team theme to help highlight their grilled foods.

John O'reilly, member of the pirate-themed Mateys-R-Us, said, "We made Walk the Plank Steaks, Fire in the Hole Peaches and Treasures in the Sand."

Some other team names included the Losers, Crash Cart 911 and Team Medium Rare.

Every participating team managed to prepare the required dishes within the allotted time and have their items presented before the guest judges to be scored. The teams then continued to grill samples for any attendee of the event.

Lt. Col. Erik Bovasso, 82nd Force Support Squadron commander, served as one of the five guest judges.

"I think this is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and have a lot of fun here at Sheppard," he said.

Brig. Gen. Darryl Burke, 82nd Training Wing commander, said having a competition like Sheppard's Iron Chef helps build morale.

"I think it is a wonderful afternoon of grilling," the general said. "The interesting thing about it is that it is a competition. It's the competition that helps build the esprit de corps.

"There are a group of folks out there with their cheerleaders edging them on. In the end, it is fun for all."

The winning team, The Patriotic Pals, included Petty Officer 1st Class Gerald Dupre, Stacey Dupre, Conner Dupre and Jerilynn Howard. The team captain said they will definitely be back to defend their title next year.