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‘MasterChef’ Contestants to Host Dinner at Culinary Kitchen

By July 16, 2018October 16th, 2018No Comments

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (July 16, 2018)–”MasterChef” contestants Matthew Houck and Cesar Cano will host a special dinner at the Kirkwood Culinary Kitchen at NewBo City Market on Friday, July 21.

The dinner, which includes an eight-course menu, will give guests an opportunity to taste several unique small-plate dishes. Various menu items will be sourced from the Kirkwood greenhouse and chef’s garden, and the Winery at Kirkwood will provide wine samples throughout the evening as well.

Houck currently works as an optometrist in Iowa City, but has recently been featured as a competing amateur chef on FOX’s “MasterChef.” The show has finished filming, but is currently airing its ninth season. Houck developed an interest in cooking shortly after his graduation from optometry school, and a culinary class through Kirkwood’s Continuing Education program helped further develop his passion for cooking.

“I’ve always appreciated art in visual forms and I really started to see cooking as a multi-sensory art form,” said Houck. “The class I took at Kirkwood was the starting point for taking my cooking more seriously. Before, I was just making a few dishes a month at home in my free time, but I really wanted to learn from an actual chef.”

The Kirkwood Culinary Kitchen at NewBo City Market, which opened in October 2012, offers a broad range of classes for everyone from the kitchen novice to experienced chefs. The kitchen holds the college’s Continuing Education cooking classes and offers year-round culinary and nutritional classes for the general public.

Houck and Cano’s dinner is open to the public, but seating is limited to twelve guests. Tickets can be purchased at http://littlevillagetickets.com/events/56647139/masterchef-matt-and-cesar-tasting-event.

*****EVENT*****

What: Dinner with “MasterChef” Competitors Matthew Houck and Cesar Cano
When: Friday, July 21, at 5 p.m.
Where: Kirkwood Culinary Kitchen at NewBo City Market
Cost: $75