Raw Iron Chef!

Last week was the second annual Life Rocks! Radical Unschooling Conference. It is a conference that I  produce in North Conway, NH. This year I decided to have a Raw Iron Chef competition as part of the event, inspired by my love for living foods, the Iron Chef show and also my beautiful friend Christina. Christina and each had a team - Team Martin and Team Cretella. We decided to playfully compete, yet the event itself was more serious than either of us realized it would be. We loved it though and  we both agree that it was an experience that we will never forget. 

Judges for the Life Rocks! Raw Iron Chef competition: Josha Grant, Roderick Russell and Steve Sainsbury!

Here I am praying for the win, once I got a taste for competing!

Competing against a best friend is fun and wonderful, because I had no attachment to winning. I wanted Christina to win and I knew I would take such joy in seeing her take home the trophy! Well, as the competition went on my desire to win was sparked because I worked so hard and I felt the intensely serious nature of the event. It felt so good to compete and be timed in doing so. It was more exhilarating than I ever imagined!!

Having Jamie as a partner gave me an edge because he has an awesome "stage presence" and also got really creative with the presentation. I loved that! 

Goji Berries were the secret ingredient and we had to incorporate them into every course.

I created the recipes and Jamie helped me execute them.

Our main entree was my

Raw Taco with Goji Berry Salsa (recipe here)

This is Jamie and I putting the raspberry-goji berry sauce into the squeeze bottle.

For dessert I created a

 Raw Chocolate Silk Pie with Raspberry and Goji Sauce (recipe here)

I am pleased to say that we won 1st place!! It was such an incredible experience! 

photos by Joe Martin and Xavia Vincete