"Transforming" the City of Chicago with the Sears Chef Challenge

Beyond Exciting, a Transformative Event: The Sears Chef Challenge Round One Semi Finals

Could I truly and finally be at a loss for words? Can my penchant for excitement and hyperbole be temporarily staunched? I just do not have the words to explain the over the top culinary adventure I just experienced in Chicago this weekend. I took hundreds of photos, laughed thousands of times and watched as many lives were truly transformed, including mine.

Click the link to view more pictures.

I listed the SCC Semi Final event details in my last post. I just can't get over how fabulously it all came together. The chefs and I were shocked at every turn from the shopping and prep session at Whole Foods Market to the spectacular food, event design and level of production at the Kenmore Live Studio. We even had hair and make up done! Did I mention that we had our own Flash Mob? Yeah, 200 dancers strong. Woah. 

The event streamed live. Here is the U-Stream version, full length. I picked out some really fun highlights to search for. If you press the Play arrow and drag to the times listed below, you can watch specific clips. Watch some. Again, I am truly speechless.

Round One Sears Chef Challenge Semi- Finals

Minute 8:20     Meet the Chefs and their charities

Minute 15:15   Presenting the Quick Bite Challenge!

Minute 22:30   The President of Sears Home Appliances, Doug Moore explains how the SCC came about and shares his gratitude to the chefs

Minute 30:48    I interview guests on the street using social media to spread excitement around the world
Minute 35:50     Quick Bite Challenge Judging
Minute 1:00:47  I introduce the Prep Cook Challenges on the street
Minute 1:07:00  Our host Steve Dolinski introduces the Main Event! The Chefs begin...
Minute 1:08:40  Watch our shopping trip to Whole Foods Market, really funny...
Minute 1:25:26  Our FLASH MOB, 200 dancers strong,  filmed earlier in the day to promote SCC. Broke out at Navy Pier in Chicago, blew everyone away! What is a flash mob? Watch to see!
Minute 1:39:00  Main Challenge Judging begins
minute 1:59:30  The WINNER is announced! President Doug Moore presents another $5,000 to the winning charity for a total of $10,000 to the People's Resource Center in Chicago. Chef Mark Maassen wins a full suite of appliances and a spot in our November 6th FINALS for the title and a FULL KITCHEN MAKEOVER!

Now do you see what I mean? The Chefs and the charities all had  life-changing experiences, including Billy and me. Our passion for cooking and appliances was brought to a new level with this groundbreaking competition and event. We reached more people than ever with the SCC, the event, social media, the Flash Mob and there is so much more in store.

Oh, speaking of transformation, look at these scenes of complete destruction in the heart of down town Chicago, right outside of our hotel! Busses smashed, cars flipped, huge 25 foot tall pieces of buildings, toppled in a four block span. Cops every where. Photos can not show the scope. On the same block as our hotel. What was going on?!

It was a HUGE set for the movie Transformers. Shia LeBeouf and Josh Duhamel were there. I did not even look for them. I was too busy having my very own, very magnificent adventure.