Last night, I joined a crowd of regional food lovers for the second week of the Competition Dining Fire in the Triad series. Chef Kristina Fuller, of Crafted in Downtown Greensboro, competed against Juan Guzman, of J. Pepper’s in Kernersville with the secret ingredient – Pepsi! The group dined on six courses of Pepsi-centric dishes – from a “Duck Fat Bacon Confit, Pickled Root Vegetable Salad, Pepsi BBQ Glaze, Honey Dijon Mustard”  to “Pepsi Roasted Duck Breast, Farro Risotto with Wild Mushrooms and Sweet Potatoes, Pepsi Beurre Rouge, Pistachio & Arugula Pesto” and a “Profiterole filled with Pepsi Cream, Mini Pie with Strawberry-Pepsi-White Chocolate Mousse, Pepsi Candied Bacon.” You can see the full list online – those dishes were my particular favorites.

It’s was the smallest of margins but Chef Guzman pulled through and will continue in the battle. I encourage you to check the competition out while they are in Greensboro. It’s a fun experience and a treat to get to know our talented local chefs. Congrats to both Kristina and Juan for all their hard work yesterday. As an Atlanta born Coca Cola lover, I know have a new perspective on North Carolina Pepsi.