The Melting Teapot

Tonight’s Chef vs. City (on Food Network) takes place in our neck of the woods. Chris Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez battle against Seattle chef Jason Stratton and his sous-chef Carrie Mashaney.

According to the Komo4 News web site, the chefs will be facing “food challenges at places such as a bar in Tacoma, Capitol Hill’s Anchovies & Olives and Downtown’s Top Pot, among other places.”  The description from Food Network reads:

In this episode of Chefs vs. City, Chris Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez test their mettle in Seattle against two of the city's most talented rising stars: Jason Stratton and Carrie Mashaney. From boisterous bar food in Tacoma to sugar-coated sweetness downtown, it's a battle in Seattle as our teams throw down in a race of gastronomical proportions. The pride of Seattle is on the line in one of the closest races ever.

Stratton was recently named by Food & Wine magazine as one of the nation’s best new chefs, and his Capitol HIll restaurant Spinasse has been getting rave reviews from local critics and diners alike.

Here’s a fun description of the Chef vs. City event from Jason Stratton, who was interviewed by Steven Blum of The Stranger:

“It involved a lot of hurrying around to different restaurants—and I don't run, so it was a challenge. We were both sore for three weeks. It's funny because they try and make you look like ferocious competitors, but we were just joking and laughing the whole time. I wonder how they'll edit it [laughs].”

I wonder which parts of Seattle and Tacoma we'll be seeing on tonight's show.  Personally, I hope they'll steer clear of the rather cliché scenes of fish-throwing at Pike Place Market.