Go East, Young Man-Chattanooga Market Five-Star Food Fight
If you're a fan of competitive cooking, (and who isn't lately now that Top Chef Masters is down to three bad-asses) this might be a good weekend to venture over the mountain to Chattanooga. Every Sunday from May until December the Chattanooga Market is the region's largest authentic outdoor market. The producer-only market represents approximately 3,500 acres of regional farms and dozens of local food manufacturers. You'll find an abundance of fresh fruits, herbs, flowers and garden-ripened vegetables; gourmet beef, chicken, sausage and pork, lamb, and goat; cheeses, artisan breads, honey, fresh-roasted coffee, small-batch jellies, salsas, candies, fudge, cakes and more.
http://www.chattanoogamarket.com We need a cool trophy like this!
And this Sunday they host their annual Five-Star Food Fight where five Chattanoogan chefs will compete to create dishes using a mystery protein and fresh organic ingredients from the Market. We made the trip a few years ago when it was called the Iron Skillet competition (the nerve of them trying to rip off Iron Chef) and can attest that it's a very entertaining couple of hours of pandemonium.
In an interesting twist, the defending champion is invited back to defend her crown. I've been advocating a Deb Paquette/Jeremy Barlow cage match for a few months myself. Joining last year's winner Anna Scott of Mia Cucina will be Ryan Cutchins from 212 Market, Eric Taslimi of Table 2, John Mills from Lupi's and Josh Safford from St. Johns. 
http://www.chattanoogamarket.com Chef Anna Scott
The competition starts at noon Yankee Standard Time as the judges will announce what the protein (meat) will be for the event. From there, it's up to each chef's creativity to determine what meal they will prepare. They will shop for everything needed to prepare their dish right in the Market choosing from fresh produce, eggs, cheese, seasonings, breads and more available in the Market.
From 1:00-2:00 the chefs will be cooking fast and furious on FiveStar cooking ranges (a long-time Market sponsor) while you watch and your mouth waters. Finally, from 2:00-3:00 the panel of judges will sample a plate of food from each of the chefs and afterwards declare our 2009 cook-off winner.
As a bonus, popular Southern soul rockers Blue Mother Tupelo will be playing a free set at 2:00 to entertain you while the judges chow down.
If the Titans/Buccaneers game Saturday night doesn't satisfy your competitive urges, think about taking in this event on Sunday. The Chattanooga Market alone is worth the road trip, plus you can spend that hour you gain on the way back sorting the squash you bought. For even more details go to the Market's website.
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