Student Activities Board held its second annual Charger Chopped event Friday, Feb. 5, and the “ATBros,” junior Eric Reagan and sophomore Steve Sartore, beat out five other teams to claim the winning title for the second time.
“Even though going in there was a sense of familiarity, we both were still very nervous,” Sartore said. “I knew our dish was good, but there were some other very nice dishes that could have won, too. We’re glad to represent ATO and men everywhere who like to cook.”
Six pairs of chefs dressed in white aprons hustled around Bon Appétit kitchen, sharing grill space with their competitors and brainstorming a tasty way to combine chocolate chips, wasabi, and beets. Spectating students crowded around their favorite team’s workspace, cheering and shouting out suggestions.
After one hour of cooking, the teams offered their dishes to the judging panel.
Teams prepared an array of plates from stuffed potatoes to “wasabi jambalaya,” but the ATBros’ creation of flank steak with grilled peppers and onions, a beet salad with chocolate sauce, and a green pea sauce with honey, ginger, and wasabi for dipping the steak.
“With such a small amount of time and a lot of pressure, I think that all the dishes were incredibly creative,” Director of SAB senior Corinne Wiggins said. “Steve and Eric have a history of being strong competitors; their winning dish was full of color and texture, and the judges really loved it.”
Wiggins said the best part of the event was the atmosphere — as the SAB team utilized a tech team to arrange live streaming as well as TV screens in Bon Appétit for an improved audience-viewing experience.
Sartore agreed: “Because of the production, my friends and family from back home can watch it, making it all the more special.”
