Pueblo Plate-Up: Chefs compete using electric kitchens at Fuel & Iron Food Hall

(PUEBLO, Colo.) — On Saturday, July 20, Pueblo’s top chefs will compete at Electric Avenue’s “ Pueblo Plate-Up ,” using the latest electric kitchen technology at the Fuel & Iron Food Hall. This free event takes place from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to the public.

The chefs will compete in teams of two, each partnering with a Pueblo grower to highlight the area’s local produce.

Ryan from Union Pizza and Chuck from The Hungry Buffalo will receive their produce from Musso Farms to make a bison and chili lasagna. The recipe will feature freshly made pasta, Pueblo chilis, and a bison red sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes.

Chad and Nako from The Cutting Board and Chelsea from Trailglazers are partnering with Millberger Farms to make harvest bruschetta, asparagus focaccia, marinated mushroom duxelles, lemon miso asparagus, marinated grape tomatoes, and vegan feta.

Richard and Mary from Diavolo Hot Chicken and Ed and Dorothea from Steel Crescent Kitchen will use ingredients from Crites Farm to make heirloom tomato salad with opal basil vinaigrette and green chili goat cheese, as well as sous vide Berkshire pork tenderloin with red Pueblo chilis, fingerling potatoes, and succotash.

While visitors will have a chance to taste unique recipes from some of Pueblo’s top cooking talent, they will also have a chance to witness innovative cooking methods and learn why moving towards electric kitchens is a smarter and safer way to cook.

Benefits of cooking with electric technology include:

• Electric ranges don’t pollute: By burning methane (natural gas), gas ranges emit pollutants that harm the lungs and cause asthma. Electric ranges have no emissions.
• Electric ranges are more efficient: Gas ranges operate at 32% energy efficiency, while traditional electric cooktops perform at 75%-80% efficiency. Induction stoves achieve around 85% energy efficiency.
• Save money on energy bills: The cost of electricity is lower than natural gas, so running an electric appliance cuts down on energy bills.
• Safer for kitchen staff: Without open flames and the extra heat they release, cooks and other kitchen staff have less risk of burning themselves, getting dehydrated, or overheating.
• Plenty of Incentives: With the passage of the IRA, the government has earmarked billions of dollars to encourage the shift to electric appliances. If you’re looking to install a new oven or upgrade an existing one, it’s never been cheaper to purchase an electric model.

The event is a part of “Electric Avenue,” a series of public education events mixing food, art, tech, and social interaction, sponsored by Good Business Colorado. In addition to electric kitchen technologies, Pueblo Plate-Up will exhibit the latest electric vehicles, E-bikes, and interactive displays from local utilities and tech companies.

Fuel & Iron Food Hall is located at 400 South Union Avenue in Pueblo. For more information, or to RSVP, click on the link above.

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