Red Newt's Deb Whiting Is Getting Ready for a Fight

By Melissa Dobson, Finger Lakes News Correspondent

Knives will be gleaming, pots and pans heated up to the boiling point and only one culinary warrior will remain at the end of the night at the Rochester Food Fight tonight.

Representing the Finger Lakes in this fast-paced battle of four chefs is Debra Whiting, executive chef and co-owner of Red Newt Cellars Winery and Bistro on Seneca Lake. Debra is a local culinary celebrity and has garnered recognition from publications such as Food and Wine Magazine, Nation's Restaurant News and the Wine Spectator.

Of the event, Debra said, "I'm very excited about the Rochester Food Fight and I think it's a great idea. It's something I haven't done before, so it's new territory for me. It will be interesting because there are 10-minute rounds.  Representing Red Newt are myself and my sous chef, Wayne Cox. We're excited about it and looking forward to it. We hope a lot of people are there to support not only Red Newt, but the other chefs as well."

The Rochester Food Fight will benefit Foodlink, a regional food bank that provides food, nutrition, education,and resources in Central and Western New York

The event takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight at the Main Street Armory, 900 East Main Street in Rochester. The event will also feature a tasting component. The other culinary contenders include John Frezee of Erie Grill at the Renaissance, Del Monte Lodge and Spa (Pittsford, NY), Eric Mueller of Warfield's Restaurant (Clifton Springs, NY) and Art Rogers of Lento (Rochester, NY) For ticket information, visit http://rochesterfoodfight.org/tickets.html.