Gold Fork at the Pitch’s Taste of KC

It’s game on for Battle: Pheasant.

Six cheftestants went head-to-head in pursuit of the prestigious Gold Fork at the Pitch's annual Taste of KC at the Power & Light District last Sunday. I was very excited to be asked to sit on the judging panel alongside Beth Barden of Succotash and Marshall Roth of Dog Nuvo.

Tonight’s secret ingredient was pheasant, and the chefs came up with some intriguing executions -- among them were pheasant meatballs, smoked pheasant, and pheasant wrapped in uncured bacon. As judges, we rated each chef’s efforts from 1 to 5 on taste, appearance and creativity.

Sampling delicious food prepared by awesome chefs -- it’s a tough job, but somehow we made it through. I think I may have tripled the amount of pheasant I've ever had in just this one sitting.

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Lunch Blog Goes to Fat City: Days 4 & 5

The biggest perk of guesting at Fat City last week? While talking to the Jack in the Box PR department, I scored an invitation to preview night, and you know I couldn't miss that.

It took Kelly and I like an hour to get there, though -- somehow we hit three construction zones, plus a wreck had the highway backed up. But the important thing is I got to have a couple of Jack in the Box tacos.

Here are the rest of my posts from the week.

• Fast food mascot Halloween costumes that aren't for kids
• Boulevard's Nutcracker Ale is an early Christmas present
• Scarrots are a trick just asking for a treat
• Wine and candy: pretty sweet
• Jack in the Box springs into action on Monday
• Market 3's grand opening is tomorrow
• How do you like your pumpkin seeds?

Lunch Blog Goes to Fat City: Days 2 & 3

Here are my posts from Fat City on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Seriously, about that Throwdown with Bobby Flay promo -- am I the only person that it's driving nuts? And you can sign me up for a cupcake challenge anytime.

• Bobby Flay's next Throwdown should be writing a less obnoxious jingle
• Battle of the Dishes: Sugar Momma's vs. Cupcake A La Mode
• Cheesecake Factory tops 'worst foods' list
• Chipotle makes annual Halloween appeal to sad people who value cheap burritos over cool costumes
• Ryan Maybee mixes it up at the Farmhouse tomorrow
• Gordon Ramsay can see you, future MasterChef contestant
• White Castle gets a little garlicky

Lunch Blog Goes to Fat City: Day 1

I'm filling in for The Pitch's food blogger Jonathan Bender while he's on vacation this week. Check out my posts from Fat City today:

• The Next Iron Chef recap: Episode 4
• Two doughnuts not nearly enough at Louisburg Cider Mill
• Carry cash and cut calories? Maybe