DETROIT – Two well-known Detroit chefs will face off in the “Iron Chef Detroit II” cooking competition to raise money for a local nonprofit.
The competition, based on the popular “Iron Chef” television show, follows last year’s inaugural event that attracted more than 400 people from across Southeast Michigan. The event directly supports Detroit’s Cass Community Social Services, which provides food, housing, health care and more to the community.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 competition:
When is the Iron Chef Detroit II competition?
The event will be held on June 12, 2025, at Eastern Market Shed 5 at 2810 Russell Street.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the competition will begin at 7 p.m.
What chefs are competing in Iron Chef Detroit II?
For this year’s competition, two James Beard nominees behind popular restaurants located just down the street from each other in Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood will go head-to-head.
The chefs include:
- Anthony Lombardo, executive chef and proprietor of SheWolf Pastificio & Bar
- Andy Hollyday, executive chef and partner at Selden Standard.
Chef Lombardo won last year’s competition.
What does the competition entail?
The chefs will prepare three courses, including an appetizer, an entree and a dessert, while incorporating a “to be announced” secret ingredient. Last year’s secret ingredient was Faygo.
They’ll have 20 to 30 minutes to cook during each round, which will be followed by judges’ comments and voting, along with banter from the hosts and the audience.
Who is judging the competition?
Detroit Iron Chef II will be judged by the following local food experts and critics:
- Sue Selasky, food and restaurant writer for the Detroit Free Press
- Chef Drew Sayes, Master Chef, culinary arts department chair at Schoolcraft College
- Serena Maria Daniels, Midwest editor of Eater.com
- Angela “The Kitchenista” Davis, social media influencer
There will also be a guest judge selected for each course.
Who is hosting the competition?
The 2025 competition will be hosted by Local 4’s Tati Amare and Kim DeGiulio, and Detroit food influencer Carlos Parisi.
How do I buy tickets for the event?
Tickets to attend the competition are $50 each. There are also packages that can be purchased for 4- and 8-person tables.
To purchase a ticket, visit here.