Last Minute Plans: The 3rd Annual Key Ingredient Cook-Off

By Melissa McEwen in Food on May 22, 2015 2:20PM

In 2012 The Reader took their James Beard Award winning Key Ingredient Challenge and turned it into an event where readers could enjoy the experience of local chefs experimenting with odd ingredients. Tonight it's back with chefs from 22 restaurants each competing with one of five secret ingredients. Taste their entries while enjoying cocktails, beer and wine, and vote on the one you think is best.

It all goes down tonight: 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Lacuna Lofts (2150 S. Canalport Ave.). VIPs enjoy early entrance at 6:30 p.m. and extra bites from Dave Beran of Next Restaurant. VIP tickets are $125 and general admission is $65. Grab a ticket on The Reader's website and we'll see you there.

Dried shrimp chawanmushi from Hoosier Mama at the 2013 Key Ingredient Cook-Off. (Credit: Amy Cavanaugh)