This report was written by Hatchet Staff Writer Tanay Tewani
Chef John Murphy, the head chef at local nonprofit Miriam’s Kitchen, fell just short of moving on to the finals of the Sears Chef Challenge Thursday night, dashing his hopes to secure additional funding for the local soup kitchen.
Murphy took second place in an Iron-chef style cooking competition in Chicago this weekend for the Sears Chef Challenge, which awards up to $20,000 in cash to select chefs from across the country.
The competition ended with each chef presenting their plate to a panel of judges. Murphy received a total score of 12.25, while the winner of the round, Chef Alex Dino, scored a 12.75.
Dino received another $5,000 to add to his winnings and will move on to the finals for a chance to win an additional $10,000 Nov. 4.
Murphy battled it out in the kitchen against three other chefs representing the cities of New York, Los Angeles and Chicago as the competition was streamed live online.
The chefs spent the day shopping for fresh, local and seasonal ingredients at a Whole Foods. Later that night the 30-minute cook-off began.
Each chef was given a challenge during their cooking time. Murphy was forced to carve a pumpkin, while other chefs had to dress up and even go trick-or-treating.
Murphy was hoping to win more money to help feed the homeless served by his nonprofit, located just off campus in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood.
All winnings by the chefs go to food banks or nonprofits helping to feed the hungry. By getting through the first round of the semifinals Murphy earned $5,000 for Miriam’s Kitchen, the equivalent of about 5,000 meals.