BizBash
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
Topics
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • Industry Buzz
  • BizBash Lists
Resources
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
User Tools
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Get Featured
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Subscribe to Magazine
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
  1. Venues & Destinations
  2. United States
  3. New York

A Taste of Soy

To promote tofu to an American audience, House Foods invited four New York chefs to compete in a public cook-off.

Anna Sekula
July 23, 2008
Eager to dispel what it called a “misperception” about the soy protein, tofu maker House Foods and the Gohan Society (an organization that promotes Japan's culinary heritage) held a cooking competition at Astor Center yesterday afternoon. Open to the public and attended by members of the media, the two-hour event involved a contest between four chefs—Wylie Dufresne of WD-50, Erik Battes of Perry Street, Edward Higgins of Insieme, and Akinobu Suzuki of Sakagura—hosted by Mike Colameco of WOR radio’s Food Talk.

Gathered in the upstairs gallery space of the wine store and education center, attendees watched while each chef created two dishes—a sweet dish and a savory plate—using the brand’s soft and firm tofu products and presented them to the judges for tasting. (The chefs later offered smaller versions of these items to guests.)On the judging panel was Michael Romano, chef and co owner of Union Square Café, Peter Berley, health food chef and author, and Andrea Strong of the food blog and newsletter the Strong Buzz. (Strong has also written for BizBash.) They named chef Dufresne as the winner and presented him with a $5,000 check from House Foods.

Although the event didn't involve the oddball antics of a typical Japanese game show, the contest did provide some insight into the various applications of tofu, from Dufresne's inventive soup and pudding to Higgins's Italian treatment (a panini-like serving and a soy panna cotta) to Suzuki's more traditional fare. And the dishes themselves seemed to have been tasty enough, as attendees swarmed the tasting tables, grabbing several samples at a time.
House Foods's tofu cook-off
House Foods's tofu cook-off
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Hosted by radio personality Mike Colameco, the competition pitted chefs Erik Battes, Wylie Dufresne, Edward Higgins, and Akinoba Suzuki against each other.
Hosted by radio personality Mike Colameco, the competition pitted chefs Erik Battes, Wylie Dufresne, Edward Higgins, and Akinoba Suzuki against each other.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
The judges, including Andrea Strong (pictured), rated each dish based on presentation, aroma, texture, flavor, and creativity.
The judges, including Andrea Strong (pictured), rated each dish based on presentation, aroma, texture, flavor, and creativity.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Video footage of the cooking in the kitchen was projected onto a screen in the space where attendees gathered.
Video footage of the cooking in the kitchen was projected onto a screen in the space where attendees gathered.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Wylie Dufresne's savory dish was his take on miso soup, which included a dropper filled with tofu paste.
Wylie Dufresne's savory dish was his take on miso soup, which included a dropper filled with tofu paste.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
The sweet dish from Erik Battes was a basil-tofu ice cream accompanied by strawberries and a black sesame puree.
The sweet dish from Erik Battes was a basil-tofu ice cream accompanied by strawberries and a black sesame puree.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
The winner of the competition, Wylie Dufresne, was presented with a check.
The winner of the competition, Wylie Dufresne, was presented with a check.
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash
Latest in New York
Sales 202502 2339203 Media Campaign X Thumb 700x467 Fnl
Industry Insiders
Everything You Need to Wow, All in One
Unveiled at The William Vale
New York
19 New Venues in New York for Spring 2025 Meetings and Events
Le Bar Penelope
New York
10 New Venues in New York for Fall 2024 Meetings and Events
Convene at 101 Park Avenue
New York
14 New Venues in New York for Summer 2024 Meetings and Events
Related Stories
The proposed Pier 40 facility
New York
Latest Pier 40 Proposal Includes Event Space
L.A. Guild
New York
Brooklyn Born
Kara Minogue
New York
Going Solo
The Pod Hotel's outdoor garden
New York
Where to Screen a Movie Outside
More in New York
Sponsored
Everything You Need to Wow, All in One
Meetings that hit big—made simple.
Sales 202502 2339203 Media Campaign X Thumb 700x467 Fnl
New York
19 New Venues in New York for Spring 2025 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
Unveiled at The William Vale
New York
10 New Venues in New York for Fall 2024 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
Le Bar Penelope
New York
14 New Venues in New York for Summer 2024 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
Convene at 101 Park Avenue
Sponsored
Picture-Perfect Venues for Your Midtown Manhattan Events
Newly renovated and expanded Convene venues can host events of all sizes.
A look at the newly refreshed Convene 117 West 46th Street
New York
12 New Venues in New York for Spring 2024 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
The Ranch at Hudson Valley
Most Popular
Strategy
How to Keep Sponsors Happy—Without Sacrificing an Event's Integrity
Event Production & Fabrication
Robin Hood's 2025 Benefit Gala Had the Home Field Advantage—How a Sports Theme Helped Raise $72 Million
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Netflix Rebuilds a Bookstore for 'YOU' Fan Experience—See Inside Joe Goldberg's Twisted Reality
Programming & Entertainment
Trend Spotted: Murder Mysteries Are Having a Moment at Events
Sports
Laps, Luxury, and Logistics: Inside the 2025 Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix
Meetings
What You Might Have Missed From the 2025 Upfront Season
New York
12 New Venues in New York for Fall 2023 Meetings and Events
Take an inside look at these trending restaurants, resorts, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
Maxwell
Sponsored
Venue of the Future: Only at Cipriani 25 Broadway
25 Broadway: Where every event is an unforgettable experience.
An example of the magic at Cipriani 25 Broadway
New York
11 New Venues in New York for Summer 2023 Meetings and Events
Take an inside look at these trending restaurants, resorts, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
Moxy Williamsburg
Sponsored
Top 5 Most Iconic Events at the Manhattan Center
The Manhattan Center’s versatility allows clients to transform the spaces into whatever they envision. Here are five of the most iconic events that have been hosted at the venue.
2022 Red Bull BC One Finals, produced by Listen Entertainment.
New York
17 New Venues in New York for Spring 2023 Meetings and Events
Take an inside look at these trending restaurants, resorts, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
The Highlight Room at Moxy Lower East Side
Sponsored
Book Your Next Event at UBS Arena at Belmont Park
Located in the heart of Metro NY, UBS Arena at Belmont Park is primed for exceptional events.
Nyi17518 Cs16610 Copy
Page 1 of 333
Next Page
BizBash
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  1. Privacy Policy
  2. CCPA: Do Not Sell My Personal Info
  3. Contact Us
  4. Site Map
© 2025 Connect Biz, LLC. All rights reserved.