Two contestants, John Holmes and Adam Long, were brought to the Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina and set up at a rural location where they had access to all the equipment and supplies needed to help them in their quest to find the finest wild ingredients.
With the help of co-host Tara Lightfoot, they brave severe rainstorms and mountain terrain to collect ingredients for their meals. Mushroom expert Alan Muscat (Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern) and wild foods expert Natalie Bogwalker also helped us make sure that everything was indeed edible.
The competition began at 5 p.m. and with only 24 hours to compete, they will spend the next day and night exploring thousands of acres of North Carolina backcountry, fishing on the Pigeon River, discovering wild apples and crabapples, and searching for crayfish in the ice cold mountain streams. Access was granted to the preserved wilderness and excellent fishing of Lake Logan.
Before the 24 hours are up, the chefs will prepare an appetizer, entrée, and dessert for the three judges. Final scores will be tallied and the Adventure Chefs winner will be chosen.
THE CHEFS
John Holmes – A talented barbecue chef from Wingate, North Carolina, Mr. Holmes is a versatile outdoorsman who stresses the use of fresh ingredients in his dishes. He keeps a garden for the freshest vegetables and has been active in the Slow Foods movement around Asheville, NC. He brings strong skills as a hunter and fisherman to the Adventure Chefs dinner table.
Adam Long – A US Army veteran with survival training and a chef degree from Johnson & Wales, Mr. Long is the head chef of Big Daddy’s Burger Bar in Charlotte, NC. He is also a veteran chef of the White House staff and is not shy about his competitive spirit.
It’s the outdoorsman versus the Army veteran in this action packed episode of Adventure Chefs!
THE JUDGES
From left to right,
Frank Scibelli – Charlotte, North Carolina restaurateur and previous contestant on Adventure Chefs.
Elizabeth Ure – Founder of Waynesville Farmer’s Market and wild foods enthusiast.
Richard Thurmond – Editor of Charlotte Magazine and noted “Foodie”.