Hollywood Casino Aurora Presents Opportunity for Guests to Help Judge Midwest Region Steakhouse Chef Competition

A simple entry via Facebook app could place guests among judges at high-level chef competition
 
Aurora, Ill., Oct. 11, 2013 – Hollywood Casino Aurora and Penn National Gaming are proud to announce an exciting competition among six chefs, including one from each of the Midwest-region Penn National Gaming properties. There will be two preliminary rounds on Tuesdays, Oct. 15 & 29, where the chefs (three in each  preliminary round) will be judged on a steak entrée presentation. The two winning chefs will then face-off in a final round on Tuesday, Nov. 19 when the winner will be announced as the 2013 Midwest-region Director’s Cut Award winner. As part of the competition, 15 Facebook fans of Hollywood Casino Aurora will be randomly selected via Facebook app signups to attend one of the three rounds with a guest.
 
Emceed by WGN 720-AM’s Flavor HD hosts Hannah Stanley and Dane Neal, this competition pits the culinary talents of six of the country’s top steakhouse chefs. At their disposal, the chefs will have a U.S.D.A. Prime four-ounce steak (Chef’s choice of Rib Eye, Filet, or NY Strip), a choice of select vegetables and starches as well as their own sauces, herbs and spices - no other food. Each plate will be judged on creativity, presentation, taste, and over-all score.
 
The chefs for the first preliminary round are Walter Lappay (Hollywood Casino Aurora), Nick Dispenza (Hollywood Casino Joliet), and Jeff Ledford (Argosy Casino Alton). The chefs for the second preliminary round are Eric Jones (Hollywood Casino Columbus), Bill Coyle (Hollywood Casino Toledo), and Ian Jordan (Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg).
 
Both preliminary rounds will take place at Fairbanks Steakhouse, located inside Hollywood Casino Aurora, while the final will be hosted at the Final Cut Steakhouse at Hollywood Casino Joliet.

Once announced, the 2013 Midwest-region Director’s Cut Award winner will be presented with the Director’s Cut trophy, an exclusive custom-made chef’s coat, and a 3-day culinary tour of Las Vegas for them and a guest. Also, the “winning dish” will be available to steakhouse guests at all six of the participating properties.
 
Guests who are interested in attending can visit facebook.com/HollywoodAurora and click the “Chef Competition” app to enter for a chance to win the exclusive chance to judge one of these unique events.