Triangle Crowns Its Own Iron Chef

The first annual Iron Triangle Chef competition blended nicely with the museum's mission of opening our minds and palates to new cultures. From North Carolina barbecue and Japanese sushi to Irish spiced beef and red cabbage, the colors, tastes and textures were bright and different.

"Exploris, overall, has such an investment in cultures that this is one way for us to describe and have these cultures out in full bloom," says Jen Ernisse of Exploris.

Five area chefs won raves for their international cuisine creations, but Nobu Miura of Kuki Japanese Restaurant took home top honors as the Iron Triangle Chef. Exploris plans to make this an annual event.

This year's Iron Chef competition helped to promote their exhibit, "Material World: What We Have and What We Have in Common."