Friendly Food Fights and Fun at Last Night's Iron Fork

All photos by Laine Doss

​View photos from Iron Fork 2011 here.

New Times' fourth annual Iron Fork at Ice Palace Film Studios in Wynwood brought more than 1,600 people out to eat, drink, and enjoy some friendly competition between chefs.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect as attendees sipped Bacardi rum cocktails and Guinness stout, and sampled food from more than 50 area restaurants and food trucks while preparing for the main events -- two chef battles.

The first one pitted reigning Iron Fork champion Carlos Torres, executive chef of De Rodriguez Cuba, against challenger Timon Balloo, executive chef of Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill.

As chef Allen Susser moderated, the toques went head-to-head. Though the competition was fierce and the battle was heated, after the cooking and tasting was done, Chef Balloo emerged victorious, becoming 2011's Iron Fork champion. We can't wait to see his challenger in 2012.

Next up was the Fighting Food Truck Taco Tangle. This new event saw Jefe's Original Fish Taco and Burger executive chef Jack Garabedian take on B.C. Taco's executive chef Bertt Chiavari for the title of Truck Taco King. The 15-minute contest was hard-fought, but in the end, Chiavari won.

Representatives from the upcoming Jerk Festival served jerk chicken with hot sauce.

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Mangia Mia food truck keeps it all in the family.

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Rosa Mexicano's executive chef, James Cawley, served some excellent pork and guacamole.

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Strawberry pisco cocktails were pink and potent.

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Hakkasan's chefs served crisp-skinned duck.

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Ms. Cheezious served tiny grilled cheese sammies. We had seconds.

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MC Allen Susser and Timon Balloo during the competition.

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