The Polls Are Open – Chopped Challenge 2014

I’m going to keep this post short and sweet (and sprinkle it with recent shots of Mr. N and Miss A). I’m busier than I can comprehend right now, but the Chopped Challenge must go on! Below you’ll find four basket options for each of three rounds – Appetizer Round, Main Course Round and the Dessert Round. I think the baskets are particularly creative this year and are sure to provide a good challenge.  So, without further adieu, please select one basket below (hit “vote” on each poll – three total) for the multiple rounds. The winning basket for each category will be our ingredients for each round of the challenge.

We’ll announce the winners in our live cook-off event on Saturday, February 1st as Mike and I go head-to-head to see what we can cook-up. Mr. N and Miss A will again serve as our sous chefs, but this year we’re switching up the teams. Last year we pitted boys against girls, but this year we’re mixing it up. Mr. N will join my team and Miss A will join Mike’s. Who will reign supreme this year?

Voting will remain open until Thursday, January 30th, so make sure to vote early (and as often as you are so inclined).  We’ll be back on the first of February with our live blogging event. Thank you again to everyone participating. We can’t wait to see what you drop in our baskets this year!

Mr. N Christmas Morning

Mr. N Christmas Morning


Basket 1 – Sally from the Bewitching Kitchen
Basket 2 – Eva from Kitchen Inspirations
Basket 3 – Munchy from Eesa Tales
Basket 4 – Mr. N and Miss A from our very own, Eat, Play Love

Miss A had a good Christmas too!

Miss A had a good Christmas too!


Basket 1 – Chicago John from the Bartolini Kitchens
Basket 2 – Vanyadhanya from Skinny Chef de Cuisine
Basket 3 – Shankari from Strawberry Lentils
Basket 4 – Joanna from The Noisy Chomper

Where are my legs?

Where are my legs?


Basket 1 – Raymund from Ang Sarap
Basket 2 – Charles from Five Euro Food
Basket 3 – Kelly from Inspired Edibles
Basket 4 – Crunchy Mama from the Fortress of Crunchitude

We even snuck in a trip to see Nana and Papa in Florida!

We even snuck in a trip to see Nana and Papa in Florida!

Happy voting everyone! Thanks again for playing along and thank you to all of you that provided our delectable baskets. We’re excited!! We’ll see you all in a few days. Let the fun begin.

Then we came home to wind chills of -40F. Burr!

Then we came home to wind chills of -40F. Burr!

44 thoughts on “The Polls Are Open – Chopped Challenge 2014”

  1. Pingback: Sourdough pancakes | Chef in disguise
    • Kristy says:
      Reply

      Thank you Sawsan! Although I may announce tomorrow that the polls will be open one more day. We were able to get our schedules cleared in order to make Sunday the big day. It will work so much easier!
      And I just love Olaf too – absolutely one of my favorites of all time. He just made me laugh and smile. Miss A was very much in love with Frozen. We’ve seen it twice already and have the soundtrack playing weekly. Mr. N liked it too – but this one really seemed to be more Miss A’s thing. (And I have to admit – I too love it!!!)

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  5. Nami | Just One Cookbook says:
    Reply

    I sent my vote earlier today but had to go, and now came back in to say how fun this even is going to be! Every year I’m excited, this is my third year cheering for the event! Good luck to you guys! The team member switch was unexpected and now I’m more curious which team will win. 😀

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  8. Charles says:
    Reply

    Hehe, happy kids makes happy Charlie happy – these lovely photos brought a big smile to my face Kristy – so cute. I never got buried in sand before. I tried but could never be bothered to dig a whole that deep! Was he able to haul himself out or did he need a hand?

    Totally voted for myself, naturally, but it was fun to pick out something for the starter and main – there’s some really fun options there. Exciting to see who’s going to win!

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    • Kristy says:
      Reply

      They make me smile too Charles. I just love capturing their reactions. Nick buried himself pretty deep. He got out all on his own. I don’t know how he could stand it. Panic would have set in on me!

      Thanks for voting – and for your ingredients (chocolate and all!). 🙂

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      • Charles says:
        Reply

        Oh, wow, he buried himself?! Goodness, I thought maybe that was Miss A’s doing or Mike! :D. I wouldn’t mind being buried up to my waist, but up to my head…? No way! You see photos sometimes of crazy people having their friends bury them up to their necks – bleurgh! I’d go crazy!

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  10. Eva Taylor says:
    Reply

    What fun! Thank you kindly for the mention and the opportunity to provide a basket, I LOVE this event. Have you thought about tweeting? Or even live telecasting with a video feed? Skype? Now that would be fun! Can’t wait to see how this one goes down. Thanks for the entertainment.

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    • Kristy says:
      Reply

      Well thank you for participating Eva! I have thought about Tweeting this year, but I just don’t know how to keep up with it all and do the cooking. What we need is a third party to help out! 🙂

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  13. Pingback: Vote over at Eat, Play, Love for Chopped Challenge 2014 | Fortress of Crunchitude
  14. Three Well Beings says:
    Reply

    Wonderful photos of the children! I love to see their smiling faces, Kristy. The voting is so much fun. I am really eager to see what happens. I had my favorites, but each and every combination is quite fascinating. Good luck with this one! I see a big challenge in some of those baskets! 🙂

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  15. hotlyspiced says:
    Reply

    How lovely to have a little break in a warmer climate. The children look so happy playing on the beach. And as for Miss A on Christmas Day – you can just see the joy and excitement in her face. I’ve done my voting and I’m looking forward to seeing how this all plays out xx

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  22. Kelly @ Inspired Edibles says:
    Reply

    Creative indeed! I made a point of not looking at the names on this voting round (though I’m sure I will eventually) but I will say that I was struck by the maltesers in the appetizer round — amazing what memories some of these ingredients can conjure up – maltesers were one of my dad’s favourite chocolate treats (not sure if I’ve come across them yet in the US…). Love the pics of the kids and I’m struck by how grown up they look!! I hope you find some time to decompress over the next little while Kristy and that your projects are a source of fun too — take care (and warm!)

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    • Kristy says:
      Reply

      Thanks Kelly! The kids are looking so grown up! Miss A recently lost her first two teeth…she’s looking more like a “kid” now. Thanks for your help with the baskets and voting. We’re so excited. 🙂

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  23. Bam's Kitchen says:
    Reply

    What a fun little activity. I tried not to look at who was making the dish before I submitted my votes but my dear Kristie I have voted for you as your ingredient list looked fun and challenging! Take care

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