Carolina Inn Hosts First Ever Shrimp and Grits Throwdown 2012 Chapel Hill, NC

Breaking Southern News.... Shrimp and Grits Throwdown 2012

photo credit: Paula Deen "Shrimp & Grits"

Seven Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chefs Vie for Culinary Supremacy

Carolina Inn hosts First Ever Shrimp and Grits Throwdown on February 25

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (January 25, 2012) – Seven local star chefs from renowned restaurants will compete for the title and bragging rights of Shrimp and Grits Champion in the inaugural Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chefs’ Throwdown on Saturday, February 25 from 1-4 pm at The Carolina Inn.

Watch as the celebrated chefs prepare their own unique twist on Shrimp and Grits and enjoy tasting samples from each of the contestants. The only requirement for the seven chefs is using shrimp and grits as they have full culinary freedom to prepare their signature dishes for the attendees and judges. Come let your voice be heard and cast your vote for “Fan Favorite.”

Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased online at www.CarolinaInnThrowdown.com.  For more information, contact throwdown@carolinainn.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated  to TABLE, serving Chapel Hill-Carrboro children at risk for hunger. Patrons are also asked to bring canned food and nonperishable items to donate at the event.

The competing chefs (as of now) feature Jeremy Blankenship, Chef of Tyler’s Tap Room; Trey Cleveland, Executive Chef of Top of the Hill; Adam Cobb, Executive Chef of Glasshalfull; Bret Jennings, Executive Chef and Owner of Elaine’s on Franklin; Vimala Rajendran, Executive Chef and Owner of Vimala’s Curry Blossom Café; Jimmy Reale, Executive Chef of Carolina Crossroads  Restaurant and Bar; and Adam Rose, Executive Chef of Il Palio.

Aaron Nelson, President of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Throwdown. The judging panel includes Andrea Griffith Cash, Editor for Chapel Hill Magazine; Deborah Miller, Host of SideDish on 1360 WCHL; Laurie Paolicelli, Executive Director of the Chapel Hill-Orange County Visitors Bureau; Kevin Schwartz, Director of The Daily Tar Heel; and Andrea Weigl, Food Writer for The News & Observer.

Am I the only one tempted to reserve a whole TABLE just to enjoy the awesome Shrimp and Grits!  Right up my Southern Living alley!

Warmly,   Carolina Mama