2017 Lange Iron Chef

           
               Jennifer Blends Her Way to Victory in Smoothie Battle

Sunday, December 25, 2017

(St. Louis, Missouri)  After a two year hiatus the Lange house was packed for the resumption of the Iron Chef competition. To keep it simple, smoothies were decided as the theme for 2017.  The holiday party started with a Sicilian inspired Christmas dinner of mostaciolli, meatballs, olive scaciati, and cannoli as a shout out Grandma Lange. (Hey, two meatball limit!) After dinner, Sage, Archie and Lucy entertained and dazzled the family with a magic show. Based on the applause they received it is very likely Vegas may be calling them soon. With all of those festivities out of the way, the stage was set for the smoothie battle.  The blenders whirled and the Lange siblings delivered three rounds of smoothies for all in attendance. After all the votes were tallied, Jennifer, who entered the competition wearing the coveted Iron Chef victory coat, left wearing it again.  Jennifer reigned supreme, Chrissy was runner-up, and Steven finished in the cellar for his third straight competition.  Steven's loss did not burn too long, as he found victory (or consolation) in the "Mattie's Choice Award." Jenny's family dog, when tasked with the judging duties, trotted across the floor and selected Steven's smoothie. It was a fun night with everyone, and we look forward to the next battle! Until then, we wish all a great 2018!

Competition Results:

2017 - Smoothies

Jennifer  –– Iron Chef Award - Cherry Vanilla smoothie (black cherries, milk, vanilla extract, almond extract, ice)

Christine – Runner-up – Guava Gulp smoothie (frozen mango, guava nectar, banana, lime juice)

Steven  – Third Place –The Mele Kalikimaka smoothie (frozen mango, unsweetened coconut milk, tamarind paste, agave nectar)

Steven – "Mattie's Choice Award" - Mable as judge

2016 - "Bye year"

2015 - "Bye year"

2014 –Pancakes

Jennifer  –– Iron Chef Award - Pancake Breakfast Casserole

Christine – Runner-up – Pete's Famous Old Time Pancakes

Steven  – Third Place – Tropical (Pandan) Pancakes with Mango Syrup

Christine – "Mattie's Choice Award" - Snow as judge

2013 – Cookies

Christine – Iron Chef Award –Chunky Chocolate Gobs

Jennifer  –– Runner-up – Michelle Obama’s White & Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

Steven  – Third Place – Chocolate Amaretti Cookies

2012 – Tacos

Jennifer – Iron Chef Award –Marinated Fish Tacos

Steven –– Runner-up – Braised Carnitas Tacos

Christine – Third Place – Grilled Ancho Chicken Tacos

Steven – “Mattie’s Choice Award” – Snow as judge

2011 – Macaroni & Cheese

Jennifer – Iron Chef Award –Lobster Mac & Cheese

Christine –– Runner-up – Gruyere Mac & Cheese

Steven – Third Place – Wisconsin Mac & Cheese

2010 – Homemade Ice Cream or Sorbet

Christine – Iron Chef Award –Mint-chip Ice Cream Sandwiches

Jennifer – Runner-up – Chocolate Super Fudge Brownie with Waffle Cone

Steven – Third Place – Hibiscus and Grapefruit Sorbet w/ Meringue Cookies

Jennifer – “Mattie’s Choice Award” – Snow as judge.

2009 – Chili

Christine – Iron Chef Award – Texas Style Tri-Tip Chili (51 pts)

Steven – Iron Chef Award – Guajillo, Ancho and New Mexico Chili with Hominy (51 pts)

Jennifer – Runner-up – New World Chili (47 pts)

2008 – Panini

Christine – Iron Chef Award - Roast Beef and Sun Dried Tomato Mayo Panini (130 pts.)

Jennifer – Runner-up – Pork Tenderloin and Apple Panini w/ Crème Fraiche (121 pts.)

Steven – Third Place – Gruyere Panini with Parsley-Cornichon Tapenade (110 pts.)

2007 - Soup

Steven - Iron Chef Award – Tuscan Bread, Bean, and Vegetable Soup

Jennifer – Runner-up – Chicken and Chorizo Soup

Christine – Third Place – Vietnamese Pineapple and Chicken Soup

2006 - Pizza

Steven - Iron Chef Award  (181 pts.)

Steven – “Mattie’s Choice Award” – Mattie as judge

Jennifer – Runner-up  (171 pts.)

Christine – Third Place (168 pts.)

2005 - Appetizers

Jennifer – Iron Chef Award - Crab Stuffed Mushrooms En Croute   (143 pts.)

Steven – Runner-up – Porcini Mushroom Toasts (116 pts.)

Christine – Third Place – Hundred Corner Shrimp Balls with Apricot Dipping Sauce (115 pts.)

2004 – Dessert

Steven – Iron Chef Award – Chocolate Cake with Sicilian Sabayon (232 pts.)

Jennifer – Runner-up – Birch de Noel Yule Log (213 pts.)

Christine– Third Place – Crushed-Peppermint Cheesecake (205 pts.)

2003 – “Bye Year” for Christine’s Wedding

2002 – Entree

Christine – Iron Chef Award – Beef Tenderloin Stuffed with Walnut Goat Cheese (71 pts)

Jennifer – Iron Chef Award – French Onion Soup with Baguette Bread and Swiss cheese (71 pts)

Steven – Runner-up – Beef Olives on Bed of Zucchini and Yellow squash (64 pts)

2001 – Entree

Christine – Iron Chef Award – Beef Tenderloin with Wild Mushroom Sauce

Steven – Runner-up – Risotto with Lobster

Jennifer – Out of town

2000 – Entree

Steven – Iron Chef Award – Robust Chianti Beef Stew

Christine – Runner-up – Wild Mushroom Pasta

Jennifer – Did not compete

Overall Rankings for the Iron Chef Award

Chef	Iron Chef Award	Runner-up	Third Place	Points
Jennifer*	6	7	-	32
Christine	6	4	5	31
Steven	5	4	6	29

Iron Chef Award = 3 pts., Runner-up = 2 pts., Third Place = 1 pt.

* = Reigning Lange Iron Chef (2017)

About the Lange Iron Chef Competition:

Inspired by the famous Japanese TV cooking show, “Ryori no Tetsujin” or “Iron Chef”, the Lange family held the inaugural Iron Chef Competition in the year 2000.  The competition was created as a means for bringing the family together over the holidays, and as a way to foster competition in the art of cooking.  It is an ever-evolving competition between the three Lange siblings, Steven, Christine and Jennifer, and typically falls around the Christmas holiday.

About the Mattie’s Choice Award:

The Mattie’s Choice Award was initiated in 2006.  Jennifer and Greg’s Siberian Husky, Mattie, ushered in a fun secondary award that allows a family dog to partake in the judging as well. After the main judging is completed, samples are placed at floor level and the family dog is held 10 feet away.  The family dog is released and the first dish that is consumed by the dog is awarded the Mattie’s Choice Award.  Although Mattie passed away and ascended to canine heaven, this award pays tribute to her and allows any family dog to fill her paws for the judging. 

Lange Iron Chef 2014

Pancakes Reign Supreme
... along with Jennifer's Pancake Breakfast Casserole

Thursday, December 25, 2014

(Dallas, Texas) – The Big D served as the battle ground for this year’s Lange Iron Chef.  Aligned with the time of the competition, Christmas morning, this year's theme was pancakes. If there was any foreshadowing of the outcome of this year's competition that could be gained from some mystical event, there would be one reference.  Well look no further ... it would be Dave Chappelle's famous Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories: Prince sketch. Simply put, it was "Game ... Blouses."

Iron Chef: Pancake Breakfast Casserole - Jennifer (28 pts.)

Runner-up: Pete's Famous Old Time Pancakes – Christine (25 pts.)

Third Place: Tropical (Pandan) Pancakes with Mango Syrup - Steven (23 pts.)
Mattie's Choice Award: Christine - Snow as Judge 

Quotes from the chefs on their pancake selections: 

Chrissy
"When you try to do something different it doesn't always work out"
"Recipe that channeled old time pancakes"

Jenny
"A meal in one. Pancakes and eggs... easy eating"
"Great make ahead dish for a host or hostess"

Steven
"Inspired first and most by an essence what is known as Pan Dan rolls"
"Pan Dan is a leaf from the screwpine, a tropical plant, and gives off a light grassy, citrus and pine scent"
When thinking of the pan dan roll he says "Gee, this might be pretty good"

With this year's result there was another shift in the overall rankings, as Jennifer knocked Steven to third place. Jennifer also climbed even with Christine on total points and is now in a tie for first place in the overall rankings.  However, Christine has retained the throne as she still holds the most Iron Chef Award victories. This year's judges included Barbara, Robby, Greg, Sage, Archie, Lucy and Snow. We dearly missed Woody.  He was with us in spirit, and his warmth, jokes, insight, laughter and kindness were relived. 

Until next year's competition we wish all of you a great year and Bon Appetite!

Competition Results:

2014 –Pancakes

Jennifer  –– Iron Chef Award - Pancake Breakfast Casserole
Christine – Runner-up – Pete's Famous Old Time Pancakes
Steven  – Third Place – Tropical (Pandan) Pancakes with Mango Syrup
Christine – "Mattie's Choice Award" - Snow as judge

2013 – Cookies

Christine – Iron Chef Award –Chunky Chocolate Gobs

Jennifer  –– Runner-up – Michelle Obama’s White & Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

Steven  – Third Place – Chocolate Amaretti Cookies

2012 – Tacos

Jennifer – Iron Chef Award –Marinated Fish Tacos

Steven –– Runner-up – Braised Carnitas Tacos

Christine – Third Place – Grilled Ancho Chicken Tacos

Steven – “Mattie’s Choice Award” – Snow as judge

2011 – Macaroni & Cheese

Jennifer – Iron Chef Award –Lobster Mac & Cheese

Christine –– Runner-up – Gruyere Mac & Cheese

Steven – Third Place – Wisconsin Mac & Cheese

2010 – Homemade Ice Cream or Sorbet

 Christine – Iron Chef Award –Mint-chip Ice Cream Sandwiches

Jennifer – Runner-up – Chocolate Super Fudge Brownie with Waffle Cone

Steven – Third Place – Hibiscus and Grapefruit Sorbet w/ Meringue Cookies

            Jennifer – “Mattie’s Choice Award” – Snow as judge.

2009 – Chili

 Christine – Iron Chef Award – Texas Style Tri-Tip Chili (51 pts)

Steven – Iron Chef Award – Guajillo, Ancho and New Mexico Chili with Hominy (51 pts)

Jennifer – Runner-up – New World Chili (47 pts)

2008 – Panini

Christine – Iron Chef Award - Roast Beef and Sun Dried Tomato Mayo Panini (130 pts.)

Jennifer – Runner-up – Pork Tenderloin and Apple Panini w/ Crème Fraiche (121 pts.)

Steven – Third Place – Gruyere Panini with Parsley-Cornichon Tapenade (110 pts.)

2007 - Soup

Steven - Iron Chef Award – Tuscan Bread, Bean, and Vegetable Soup

Jennifer – Runner-up – Chicken and Chorizo Soup

Christine – Third Place – Vietnamese Pineapple and Chicken Soup

2006 - Pizza

 Steven - Iron Chef Award  (181 pts.)

            Steven – “Mattie’s Choice Award” – Mattie as judge

Jennifer – Runner-up  (171 pts.)

Christine – Third Place (168 pts.)

2005 - Appetizers

Jennifer – Iron Chef Award - Crab Stuffed Mushrooms En Croute   (143 pts.)

Steven – Runner-up – Porcini Mushroom Toasts (116 pts.)

Christine – Third Place – Hundred Corner Shrimp Balls with Apricot Dipping Sauce (115 pts.)

2004 – Dessert

Steven – Iron Chef Award – Chocolate Cake with Sicilian Sabayon (232 pts.)

Jennifer – Runner-up – Birch de Noel Yule Log (213 pts.)

Christine– Third Place – Crushed-Peppermint Cheesecake (205 pts.)

2003 – “Bye Year” for Christine’s Wedding

2002 – Entree

Christine – Iron Chef Award – Beef Tenderloin Stuffed with Walnut Goat Cheese (71 pts)

Jennifer – Iron Chef Award – French Onion Soup with Baguette Bread and Swiss cheese (71 pts)

Steven – Runner-up – Beef Olives on Bed of Zucchini and Yellow squash (64 pts)

2001 – Entree

 Christine – Iron Chef Award – Beef Tenderloin with Wild Mushroom Sauce

            Steven – Runner-up – Risotto with Lobster

            Jennifer – Out of town

2000 – Entree

Steven – Iron Chef Award – Robust Chianti Beef Stew

            Christine – Runner-up – Wild Mushroom Pasta

            Jennifer – Did not compete

Overall Rankings for the Iron Chef Award

Chef	Iron Chef Award	Runner-up	Third Place	Points
Christine	6	3	5	29
Jennifer*	5	7	-	29
Steven	5	4	5	28

Iron Chef Award = 3 pts., Runner-up = 2 pts., Third Place = 1 pt.

* = Reigning Lange Iron Chef (2014)

Mattie’s Choice Award

The Mattie’s Choice Award was initiated in 2006.  Jennifer and Greg’s Siberian Husky, Mattie, ushered in a fun secondary award that allows a family dog to partake in the judging as well. After the main judging is completed, samples are placed at floor level and the family dog is held 10 feet away.  Then, the dog is released and the first dish that is consumed by the dog is awarded the Mattie’s Choice Award.  Although Mattie passed away and ascended to canine heaven, this award pays tribute to her, and has allowed for the next generation, namely Steven’s dog Snow, to carry the responsibility of judging.

About the Competition:

Inspired by the famous Japanese TV cooking show, “Ryori no Tetsujin” or “Iron Chef”, the Lange family held the inaugural Iron Chef Competition in the year 2000.  The competition was created as a means for bringing the family together over the holidays, and as a way to foster competition in the art of cooking.  It is an ever-evolving competition between the three Lange siblings, Steven, Christine and Jennifer, and typically falls around the Christmas holiday.

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Lange Iron Chef 2013

The press release for this year's Iron Chef:

Christine Wins Iron Chef on Cookies

Steven Dethroned from Overall Rankings

Sunday, January 12, 2014

(St. Louis, Missouri) – The Gateway to the West was the battle ground for this year’s Lange Iron Chef.  The theme was “cookies,” and held on Sunday, December 29, 2013.

This year’s theme was selected by Sage, Archie and Lucy.  They each had the opportunity to select three items that they would like to see as the theme. For some reason all the items they selected had sugar as a main ingredient, hmmm, I wonder why?  The one item that was consistent in each of their lists was cookies, and so a theme was determined.

A group of 19 gathered for this year’s festivities with 16 serving as judges and voters, as the competitors do not vote.  After Aunt Casey’s calculations, Woody made the formal announcement of the winners. This year Christine was crowned Iron Chef (42 points).  Jennifer finished as runner-up (36 points), and Steven in third place (34 points).  Here are the descriptions of the cookies:

Iron Chef: Chunky Chocolate Gobs - Christine

Runner-up: Michelle Obama’s White & Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies – Jennifer

Third Place: Chocolate Amaretti Cookies - Steven

With this result there was a shift in the overall rankings.  Christine replaced Steven as the overall leader in the competition as she went even on overall points, 27, and now has the highest number of Iron Chef titles, a total of 6. Next year has the potential for another shift with the overall point totals being so tight.

There were no canines present at this year’s competition, so The Mattie’s Choice Award was not contested.   

Until next year – Bon Appetit!

Competition Results:

2013 – Cookies

Christine – Iron Chef Award –Chunky Chocolate Gobs

Jennifer  –– Runner-up – Michelle Obama’s White & Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

Steven  – Third Place – Chocolate Amaretti Cookies

2012 – Tacos

Jennifer – Iron Chef Award –Marinated Fish Tacos

Steven –– Runner-up – Braised Carnitas Tacos

Christine – Third Place – Grilled Ancho Chicken Tacos

Steven – “Mattie’s Choice Award” – Snow as judge

2011 – Macaroni & Cheese

Jennifer – Iron Chef Award –Lobster Mac & Cheese

Christine –– Runner-up – Gruyere Mac & Cheese

Steven – Third Place – Wisconsin Mac & Cheese

2010 – Homemade Ice Cream or Sorbet

 Christine – Iron Chef Award –Mint-chip Ice Cream Sandwiches

Jennifer – Runner-up – Chocolate Super Fudge Brownie with Waffle Cone

Steven – Third Place – Hibiscus and Grapefruit Sorbet w/ Meringue Cookies

            Jennifer – “Mattie’s Choice Award” – Snow as judge.

2009 – Chili

 Christine – Iron Chef Award – Texas Style Tri-Tip Chili (51 pts)

Steven – Iron Chef Award – Guajillo, Ancho and New Mexico Chili with Hominy (51 pts)

Jennifer – Runner-up – New World Chili (47 pts)

2008 – Panini

Christine – Iron Chef Award - Roast Beef and Sun Dried Tomato Mayo Panini (130 pts.)

Jennifer – Runner-up – Pork Tenderloin and Apple Panini w/ Crème Fraiche (121 pts.)

Steven – Third Place – Gruyere Panini with Parsley-Cornichon Tapenade (110 pts.)

2007 - Soup

Steven - Iron Chef Award – Tuscan Bread, Bean, and Vegetable Soup

Jennifer – Runner-up – Chicken and Chorizo Soup

Christine – Third Place – Vietnamese Pineapple and Chicken Soup

2006 - Pizza

 Steven - Iron Chef Award  (181 pts.)

            Steven – “Mattie’s Choice Award” – Mattie as judge

Jennifer – Runner-up  (171 pts.)

Christine – Third Place (168 pts.)

2005 - Appetizers

Jennifer – Iron Chef Award - Crab Stuffed Mushrooms En Croute   (143 pts.)

Steven – Runner-up – Porcini Mushroom Toasts (116 pts.)

Christine – Third Place – Hundred Corner Shrimp Balls with Apricot Dipping Sauce (115 pts.)

2004 – Dessert

Steven – Iron Chef Award – Chocolate Cake with Sicilian Sabayon (232 pts.)

Jennifer – Runner-up – Birch de Noel Yule Log (213 pts.)

Christine– Third Place – Crushed-Peppermint Cheesecake (205 pts.)

2003 – “Bye Year” for Christine’s Wedding

2002 – Entree

Christine – Iron Chef Award – Beef Tenderloin Stuffed with Walnut Goat Cheese (71 pts)

Jennifer – Iron Chef Award – French Onion Soup with Baguette Bread and Swiss cheese (71 pts)

Steven – Runner-up – Beef Olives on Bed of Zucchini and Yellow squash (64 pts)

2001 – Entree

 Christine – Iron Chef Award – Beef Tenderloin with Wild Mushroom Sauce

            Steven – Runner-up – Risotto with Lobster

            Jennifer – Out of town

2000 – Entree

Steven – Iron Chef Award – Robust Chianti Beef Stew

            Christine – Runner-up – Wild Mushroom Pasta

            Jennifer – Did not compete

Overall Rankings for the Iron Chef Award

Chef	Iron Chef Award	Runner-up	Third Place	Points
Christine*	6	2	5	27
Steven	5	4	4	27
Jennifer	4	7	-	26

Iron Chef Award = 3 pts., Runner-up = 2 pts., Third Place = 1 pt.

* = Reigning Lange Iron Chef (2013)

Mattie’s Choice Award

The Mattie’s Choice Award was initiated in 2006.  Jennifer and Greg’s Siberian Husky, Mattie, ushered in a fun secondary award that allows a family dog to partake in the judging as well. After the main judging is completed, samples are placed at floor level and the family dog is held 10 feet away.  Then, the dog is released and the first dish that is consumed by the dog is awarded the Mattie’s Choice Award.  Although Mattie passed away and ascended to canine heaven, this award pays tribute to her, and has allowed for the next generation, namely Steven’s dog Snow, to carry the responsibility of judging.

About the Competition:

Inspired by the famous Japanese TV cooking show, “Ryori no Tetsujin” or “Iron Chef”, the Lange family held the inaugural Iron Chef Competition in the year 2000.  The competition was created as a means for bringing the family together over the holidays, and as a way to foster competition in the art of cooking.  It is an ever-evolving competition between the three Lange siblings, Steven, Christine and Jennifer, and typically falls around the Christmas holiday.

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