As Melanie Robinson and Lynda Smith stood in front of the TV cameras, face to face, urged to egg each other on, Robinson said, “But I really like her.”
So, they feigned competitiveness and got down to business.
The two chefs had made it to the final round of the Food Network’s Chopped Canada. Whoever created the best dessert was going to be $10,000 richer.
The judges decided Robinson, who lives in Sebright and owns Eclectic Café in downtown Orillia, had the tastiest dish.
Over the 16 hours of taping that episode in July 2015, the two became friends.
“We had respect for each other immediately,” Robinson said. “For us, it was about doing our best.”
Even when it was announced Robinson had won, Smith’s response was, “I’m really happy for Mel.”
In that regard, it wasn’t a cutthroat competition. But it looks like Smith wants to take another stab at it.
She will be driving through Ontario on her way back home to Comox, B.C., from the East Coast next month, so she contacted Robinson and suggested the two have a rematch at Eclectic Café.
Bring it on, Robinson responded.
Besides her passion for cooking, Smith has shown her competitive streak through horse racing and dog agility shows.
“It’ll be a friendly competition, but I know she wants to win,” Robinson said of Smith.
They are considering a similar approach to Chopped Canada, using a mystery box of ingredients and, possibly, one of the ingredients used during their competition three years ago.
Robinson and Smith will have one hour to create one dish each, which will be judged and critiqued by local foodies, who will not know which chef cooked which dish.
The winner will not receive any money — “It’ll be bragging rights at stake,” Robinson said — but the Orillia Youth Centre will. After the cost of ingredients is covered, the remainder of the money raised through the event will go to the Front Street centre.
Members of the public will have a chance to give their two cents’ worth, too. For $25, they can sample the dishes and cast a vote.
The rematch will go down July 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Eclectic Café, which is located in the back of Carousel Collectables on Mississaga Street West, across from the library.
Seating is limited. For tickets, stop in at the café or email [email protected].
“It’s going to be fun and exciting, and a new challenge, especially in our small kitchen space,” Robinson said. “We don’t have the luxury of everything that was in the Chopped kitchen. Let’s call it ‘Chopped on a budget.’”
