Master Chef Mystery Box Event

We hosted our very own Master Chef

Mystery Box Competition.

Charlotte and Claire competed against their friends Naomi and Rachel

Here were the items for the competition:

a peach, strawberries, a chocolate brownie mix, japanese panko bread crumbs,

Italian gnocchi, a chicken breast and a pint of heavy whipping cream.

Here they are getting their first glimpse of the ingredients.

They also had access to the spice rack and the baking cupboard.

They did not have to use all the ingredients and they could make any dish they chose

Claire and Charlotte take a closer look

It doesn't appear Rachel is familiar with gnocchi

Immediately, the teams put their heads together and began

formulating a plan

Rachel and Naomi set about to get the brownies baked

which was also the strategy of the other team!

While Charlotte was getting the batter in the pan,

Claire worked to cover the chicken breast in the panko crumbs

Big sister gives their desert a final stir. . .

while little sis gets the batter into the prepared baking pan.

Good team work, I'd say!

Then it was on to the entree.

Rachel tastes some available spices to determine how to season the chicken

Both teams went with pan frying their chicken breasts

With the chicken well in hand, Claire tests the peach for ripeness.

Yep.  Perfect!

{In fact it was so perfect that little brother ate it shortly after this which

rendered it unavailable for this team's use}

Back to the spice rack.

Rachel was determined to season sufficiently!

The dirty dishes and utensils started stacking up!

Making a quick recovery from the peach mis-hap, Claire sets out to

cut the strawberries for a surely scrumptious dessert. 

Back at the stove, one team has the gnocchi boiling 

Rachel dices her peach for use in the whipping cream.

Love the idea of fruit infusion! 

As the clock runs low, Charlotte decides to toast extra panko

and use melted butter on the chicken breast for flavor and sheen..

or something like that.

Then, she sliced the breast and skewered the pieces.

Nice technique and presentation. 

Under a bit of pressure, both teams begin plating their creations.

Rachel and Naomi cut their brownie, top with the peach whipping cream and top 

with beautiful strawberry slices.

A slight dusting of powdered sugar is a wonderful touch.

Charlotte goes a little different route as she choses to pipe

her whip cream onto the brownie inside standing strawberries

Here is the final entree for Rachel and Naomi

and their dessert

 Well done team!

Charlotte and Claire work together to present

their final works

Yum.  Yum.

Ian served as judge.

He was glowing in his comments for both teams.

Mini Master Chefs for sure!!!