9.12.2011

Vote For Your Favorite - Who Makes The Best Philly Cheese Steak?

On an unassuming Sunday and in the spirit of some friendly kitchen competition, two unnamed chefs went head-to-head to determine who can make the best Philly Cheese steak. To the soundtrack of sizzling pans, clanking prep bowls and the murmur of football playing quietly in the background, each chef was given 30 minutes, the use of identical ingredients and free reign of the kitchen to create their best take on the Philly Cheese steak. Here's how it all went down..


First up - the ingredients. The chefs were given the opportunity to use (or not use): Shaved Steak, Onions, Poblano Peppers, Scotch Bonnet Peppers, Mushrooms, Serrano Peppers, Tomatillos, American Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Goat Cheese, Provolone, Sub Rolls

Next, the creations:

Chef #1: At the end Chef #1's 30 minutes, a hot steak and cheese came out of the oven with layer after layer of shaved steak, honey-caramelized onions and a roasted poblano-tomatillo cheese sauce that was packed with smooth cheddar, monterey jack and tangy goat cheese and then punched up with flavor from mustard seeds and smoked paprika. The finished product was a show stopper; with a toasted bun, a smear of poblano-tomatillo cheese sauce, a generous serving of steak, slices of provolone cheese and pile of the honey caramelized onions. The entire sub was finished with another layer of sauce and then dusted with fresh parsley before serving.


Chef 2: In 30 minutes time, Chef 2 created a cheese steak that was packed with ribbons of sweet caramelized onions, sliced mushrooms and doused with a four cheese roasted poblano sauce - made with a combination of cheddar, American, provolone and monterey jack cheese. The sauce was hit with a touch of hickory smoked salt before diced roasted poblano pepper were added. For the final presentation, a layer of four cheese poblano sauce started things off, followed by a heaping portion of seared shaved steak, mushrooms and caramelized onions. Another heavy-handed drizzle of the cheese sauce and finely diced roasted poblano peppers were sprinkled on top to finish things up.


Now, dear reader, these two unnamed chefs are asking for your help in determining the winner of this challenge. Who do you think made the better Philly Cheese steak, Chef #1 or Chef #2? Leave a comment to vote for your favorite!

Additionally, I have it on good record that both chefs thoroughly enjoyed themselves throughout this challenge and I wouldn't be surprised if similar events happen in the very near future. That being said, what would you suggest the challenge be? Tacos? Pizza? Lobster Thermidor? What else?

9 comments:

nicole said...

Chef 2- it has mushrooms. I love mushrooms on a steak sub.

Anonymous said...

I'm going w/ #1 based on the sauce and the honey onions. I would love to know how the flavors balanced though. Was it too much sweet and rich, or was there something to cut it?

The Small Boston Kitchen said...

E.L.B - Good question, I must say the flavors balanced very well and the sweetness/richness was cut by a bit of heat and some acid from a splash of Sherry vinegar. Thanks for your vote!

Deborah Greaves said...

You had me at goat cheese... Chef #1!!

Jen said...

#1. Seriously, if you guys need taste testers to judge one of these competitions, let me know!

Mom said...

Both subs look good. Suggestions for the next competition - DEFINITELY Lobster Thermidor!! ONLY I need to be one of the judges!!

linda said...

I vote for chef #2. The individual ingredients are the stars of the whole.

Unknown said...

what i think is that you need more taste testers :) both sound delicious... love the uniqueness of #1, but I think the mushrooms draw me to #2!

PigTrip said...

Both look good, but I'm going with #1: more interesting cheese blend, honey in the onions, and mustard seeds add flavor.

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