We'll admit it. We kinda started it when we asked a few questions of Giorgio Rapicavoli and Jamie DeRosa, the two chefs set to compete in this year's Iron Fork and Miami Spice kickoff event, presented by the Downtown Development Authority, on August 1 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami.
We didn't think that these two talented chefs would engage in a war of words using Twitter as their weapon of choice... but we're kind of totally psyched it happened.
Shortly after we posted the interview, in which DeRosa, chef/partner at Tongue & Cheek and Rapicavoli, chef/partner at Eating House, explained their strategies for winning the upcoming competition (which included punching raw meat and training at a non-existent boot camp), a war erupted.
See also:
- Iron Fork Chef Battle: Danny Serfer Offers Words of Wisdom to Jamie DeRosa, Giorgio Rapicavoli
First, DeRosa sent a "gift basket" to Iron Fork judges Timon Balloo and Daniel Serfer. A bribe you say? Maybe in, say, Idaho. But in Miami? Nah... Here are the two judges. Do they look like they could be bought with a mere basket of goodies?
Apparently, Rapicavoli upped the ante a bit. Though we have no pictures as proof, we do have a tweet by judge Danny Serfer alluding to a different sort of payola:
@JamieDeRosa @grapicavoli @Short_Order he sent hookers. Beyyer ones than we have in the motel yoo
— Daniel Serfer (@bluecollarmiami) July 24, 2013
Then things got really out of hand, when the two chefs turned to their cooking:
@bluecollarmiami @jamiederosa @short_order yo Jamie are those molecular margaritas or you still "not sure what that term even means"
— Giorgio Rapicavoli (@grapicavoli) July 24, 2013
@JamieDeRosa @bluecollarmiami @short_order @cheftimon just enough times to pick up some plating techniques huh? pic.twitter.com/T8D2q3QPov
— Giorgio Rapicavoli (@grapicavoli) July 24, 2013
And use of "signature" ingredients:
@bluecollarmiami @grapicavoli @Short_Order @cheftimon Love me some Captain Crunch. However, I stopped using cereal in food a few years ago..
— Jamie DeRosa (@JamieDeRosa) July 24, 2013
@grapicavoli @JamieDeRosa @Short_Order @cheftimon oioooooo snap
— Daniel Serfer (@bluecollarmiami) July 24, 2013
For now, there's been a Twitter truce, with the chefs holding a cease fire until the big Iron Fork battle on August 1 at the Arsht Center.
Want to see who wins? Of course you do! If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, hurry up. Because if you miss this epic battle, you're going to be kicking yourself. Tickets cost $40 until July 31 for general admission and $75 for VIP, which gets you into the evert an hour earlier, plus allows you complimentary beverages and the chance to get "on stage" with the cast of Legally Blonde!
Follow Laine Doss on Twitter @LaineDoss and Facebook.
Follow Short Order on Facebook, on Twitter @Short_Order, and Instagram @ShortOrder.
