NTD Television's "Fire Up The Wok" Challenge With Top U.S. Chefs: West Meets East In Times Square For Culinary Cultural Exchange

NEW YORK, Sept. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NTD Television will present Fire Up The Wok, a competitive cooking exhibition with five top chefs from the United States, cooking outdoors in the heart of Times Square on September 27^th  at 7 P.M. -- immediately after the first day of the NTD Television Fifth Annual International Chinese Culinary Competition.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120905/DC68129LOGO)

Fire Up The Wok is part of the NTD Television Annual Benefit Gala with some proceeds going to the James Beard Foundation NTD Chinese Culinary Scholarship for the Underprivileged.

The challengers will fire up their woks in the ancient-style Chinese cooking stations of NTD's mobile kitchen studios -- designed to recreate the architecture of the Chinese Tang Dynasty capital of Chang'an.

Celebrity chefs participating include:

• Julieta Ballesteros  -- One of New York's Best Mexican chefs
• Antoine Camin  -- Master Chef of Orsay
• Maneet Chauhan  -- Judge of Food Network's Chopped
• Clark Frasier  -- Top Chef Masters Season 4 on Bravo
• Malcolm Mitchell -- Finalist of season 8 of Food Network Star

Judging panelists for this challenge are Susie Fogelson, SVP Marketing and Brand Strategy from Food Network, Chef David Burke and Yunqiang Qu, Head Judge from the NTD International Culinary Competition.

"I'm very happy to be participating as a judge in the Fire Up the Wok challenge. This is a fantastic event to promote authentic Chinese culinary techniques to American chefs and to celebrate America's diverse culinary culture," said Susie Fogelson.

Chef David Burke stated, "It is a great honor to be a judge for Fire Up The Wok! I am looking forward to judging such talented chefs and enjoying great cuisine!  It is a true pleasure working with NTD Television and I am excited for the challenge!"

"NTD's International Chinese Culinary Competition aims to revive authentic traditional Chinese culinary culture. Fire Up The Wok challenge is a unique way to facilitate the culinary cultural exchange between the east and the west," said Yunqiang Qu, head Judge of NTD's International Chinese Culinary Competition.

In keeping with the mission to promote traditional Chinese culture, NTD has hosted the annual International Chinese Culinary Competition for five years and has engaged more than 500 master chefs and food professionals. This year marks the third year the competition will be held in Times Square. The main competition is open to the public and tasting sessions are available. To reserve seats visit: https://register.ntdtv.com/events or call 646-752-4465.

About NTD Television 
NTD Television, established in 2001 and headquartered in New York City, is a leader in China news and cultural affairs. They provide uncensored information to viewers around the world in 16 languages.  NTD Television broadcasts via satellite, cable, online and on mobile platforms in all major domestic and global Chinese markets including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, Canada, Europe and Asia with particular attention to China and Taiwan. The network reaches over 100 million global viewers.

For local channel listings visit: http://ntdtv.org/en/sch_us.html.  

Every year NTD Television organizes a wide range of competitions. NTD Television also sponsors the highly acclaimed Shen Yun Performing Arts. For more information, please visit: http://www.NTDTV.org.

SOURCE New Tang Dynasty Television