Not just a home run, but an inside-the-park home run. That鈥檚 how Great American Ball Park executive chef James Major advanced to the 鈥淐hopped: Impossible鈥� finals airing 8 p.m. Nov. 12 on Food Network.
Judge Geoffrey Zakarian called Major鈥檚 walnut and balsamic sponge cake with peanut butter cream 鈥渁 well done dessert, an inside-the-park home run.鈥�
The 鈥淐hopped: Impossible鈥� contestants had to concoct a dessert using a meat lover鈥檚 sub sandwich, ostrich egg, chunky peanut butter and balsamic vinegar.
Major also will compete on "Cutthroat Kitchen" 10 p.m. Sunday on the Food Network in an episode called "The Hunt For Bread October," says Michael Anderson, Reds public relations manager.
Judge Robert Irvine, host of Food Network鈥檚 鈥淩estaurant: Impossible,鈥� said he loved the peanut butter cream. Earlier on the show, Major impressed judges with his fried crawfish and grits with chicken rillette.
Major, a former U.S. Navy cook, and 11 other 鈥淐hopped鈥� champs have returned to compete 鈥� four at a time -- for a place in the finals, as I . He will cook against winners from the Oct. 22 and Nov. 5 episodes in the finale.
The Nov. 12 winner gets $15,000 and a cook-off against Irvine. If Irvine loses, the 鈥淐hopped: Impossible鈥� champ wins an additional $25,000.
鈥淚 want to go against Robert Irvine,鈥� Major said on the show last week. 鈥淚 think a U.S. Navy man against a British naval man (Irvine) would be a heck of a battle.鈥�
Major started as a dishwasher at 14 before going into the Navy. In 2014 he won a "Chopped" competition against three other baseball park chefs working for Delaware North Companies Sportservice.
