A Cedar Rapids Chef Will Compete on the Food Network This Week

Tuesday night is a big night for a chef right here in Cedar Rapids! According to a new post from local restaurant Cobble Hill, Chef Andy Schumacher will be competing on the show Chopped on the Food Network!

Right now, 16 chefs from across the U.S. are competing on Chopped: All-American Showdown for the chance at $50,000. One of those chefs will be representing the state of Iowa! Tonight at 7 p.m. (Tuesday, July 18th), Chef Andy will take on three other chefs that are representing the North in a "preliminary battle." The other chefs hail from Detroit, St. Paul, and Lakewood, Ohio. A description of tonight's episode reads:

"In the appetizer round, the chefs must combine a sweet baked good with a strange paste. A certain style of pizza and a signature spud sound right up this group's alley, but the entrée basket is not easy, even for these seasoned pros. Cherries and chips are cheery inclusions in the dessert basket, but the final two contenders are all business rushing to do their best with their final plates."

Chef Andy Schumacher is no stranger to the kitchen. The Food Network website says that he is not only the chef and co-owner of Cobble Hill in Downtown Cedar Rapids, but he has also been nominated for a James Beard Award! He was named a semifinalist for Best Chef in the Midwest back in 2015. His bio reads:

"The North is known for meat and potatoes, and Andy takes that classic food combo and elevates it. Throughout the years, Andy has been nominated for a James Beard Award, and his restaurant was nominated as one of the best in Iowa. For this tournament, he is ready to battle and show that Iowa brings amazing cuisine."

We can't wait to see how Andy does on tonight's episode! Chopped: All-American Showdown will air at 7 p.m. on the Food Network.