There's no way to fully prepare for competing on an episode of "Chopped," Lincoln chef Rachel McGill learned.
The popular Food Network show is chock full of calories — and even more uncertainty.
Rachel McGill, chef at Dish, speaks during an interview at the restaurant in June 2021.
From the clock to the judges to the ingredients themselves, which are delivered in baskets and revealed just seconds before the cooking begins.
"You have to think on your feet," said McGill, the James Beard Award nominee and executive chef at Dish whose "Chopped" experience will air Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Just because there's no way to prepare for the show doesn't mean McGill didn't try. She prepped by having someone at Dish make her a basket of random ingredients, which then had to be made into something both edible and aesthetically pleasing.
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The most random ingredient McGill cooked with during her preparation was Corn Nuts, not the easiest item to incorporate into a dish, but she found a way.
"You just have to kind of know and understand ingredients," she said. "You have some things that are in your head about like what you think you might want to do if you get X, Y or Z."
The clock proved to be an even bigger challenge, McGill said.
"It was unreal," she said. "I looked up and I was like, 'Oh wow, I have 10 seconds left.'"
"Chopped," which debuted in 2009, pits four chefs against each other in a cooking contest that requires them to think on their feet by using random ingredients — placed in a basket — while cooking against the clock.
With each course — appetizer, dinner and dessert — one chef is eliminated until just one chef is declared the winner of a cash prize, usually $10,000.
McGill taped the show in November. It was supposed to air in the spring but was delayed. She signed a nondisclosure agreement not to discuss the contest before it aired, but plans to talk about it to the Journal Star later this week.
What she could say on Monday was the two-day experience — a day of the show's producers learning about Dish, Lincoln and her culinary journey followed by a 16-hour day of cooking and waiting in the green room — while difficult, was everything she hoped it would be.
"I knew the time was going to be a factor," she said, listing other variables that are often overlooked. "... You're not familiar with the kitchen. You're not familiar with where things are, and you're not familiar with how things work necessarily. So you're trying to learn really, really quickly — and also create on the fly.
"It was a really, really big challenge for me. I questioned my skill set at that moment. I was like, 'Wow, this is this is really, really hard' and I think I'm really good at what I do."
In the end, she plated her dishes and said she was happy with them.
"I'm proud of what I made," she said. "It was hectic and maybe I wish I would have been a little bit more calm, cool and collected through it, but it was a good experience for sure."
Lincoln's most requested restaurants
Jamba Juice
Jamba Juice serves on-the-go freshly blended fruit and vegetable smoothies, made-to-order bowls, fresh-squeezed juices and shots, boosts and bites.
Einstein Bros. Bagels
Einstein Bros. Bagels serves breakfast and lunch. The chain boasts that bakers begin work at 2 a.m. and make bagels every four hours to ensure they are fresh.
Church's Texas Chicken
Church's Chicken is known for its fried chicken and biscuits. The chain began in 1952 across the street from the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas.
Jason's Deli
Jason's Deli says its food is free from high-fructose corn syrup, artificial trans fats and flavors, processed MSG and dyes. There are 250 deli locations in 28 U.S. states.
Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe is known for burgers, beer and cocktails and an atmosphere immersed in rock music and memorabilia. The chain has locations in major cities worldwide.
Peets Coffee
Peets Coffee began in 1966 and boasts hand-roasted and ethically sourced coffee beans. There are more than 300 Peets coffee bars, mostly in major U.S. cities.
Dave & Busters
Dave & Busters is an American restaurant that serves entrees from wings to steaks as well as beer, wine and cocktails. The restaurant is known as an entertainment destination for its arcade games.
Shake Shack
Shake Shack sprouted from a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park in Manhattan, the company says. The restaurant serves burgers, chicken, hot dogs, frozen custard, beer, wine and more.
Bob Evans
Bob Evans serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner all day, every day. "A family restaurant dedicated to treating strangers like friends and friends like family," its Facebook page says. The chain has restaurants in 18 states.
Potbelly Sandwich Works
"A first-class dive with toasty sandwiches, extra-good salads, hand-dipped shakes, cookies baked daily and lots of good vibes," is how Potbelly Sandwich Works describes itself. Potbelly began in 1996 in Chicago and now has more than 250 shops.
Cafe Rio
Cafe Rio is largely located in western states, with dozens of locations in California, Arizona and Utah. However, there are 10 locations near Washington, D.C. The restaurant bills itself as "home of the original sweet pork barbacoa."
Portillo's
Portillo's is a Midwestern chain with 50 locations serving Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, burgers, salads and chocolate cake.
Giordano's Pizzeria
While it may be coming to Omaha soon, Journal Star readers repeatedly asked for Giordano's Chicago-style pizza to be offered in Lincoln as well.
P.F. Chang's China Bistro
P.F. Chang's brings an Asian fusion approach to Americanized Chinese food, serving dumplings, entrees, crab rangoons and things of that nature. Readers repeatedly asked about the restaurant coming to the Capitol City.
Uno Pizzeria and Grill
After opening a location in Boston in 1978, Chicago-style pizza staple Uno Pizzeria has been seen in places far outside the Windy City. The chain has more than 140 locations in 24 states, as well as 160 Uno Express locations and fast-casual eateries, serving thick-crust pizza, sandwiches, salads and more. Many Lincolnites are waiting when they'll be able to get a taste of Chicago a little closer to home.
Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits
Boasting more than 600 restaurants, Bojangles is a key purveyor of fried chicken, biscuits and southern sides. However, the chain is only in 11 states, mostly in the Deep South, with a few international locations. That hasn't stopped Lincoln readers, however, from craving the company's chicken, signature seasoned fries and Bo Sauce.
Joe's Crab Shack
Lincoln diners want more seafood options and Joe's Crab Shack might be just the solution with a menu filled with variations on crab and other New England favorites.
Jack in the Box
Famous for a diverse menu including an all-day breakfast, Lincoln diners would love to see a Jack in the Box come to town.
Bennigan's
Despite the restaurant filing for bankruptcy in 2008, Lincolnites still would like to see a Bennigan's in the capitol city. Unfortunately, this one might not be in the cards.
Big Mama's and Papa's Pizzeria
You can't buy better publicity than Big Mama's and Papa's Pizzeria received for free. When the restaurant delivered pizza to the Oscar's in 2014, they became a viral phenomenon and the owners have expressed a desire to expand. It looks like some Lincoln diners are interested in trying the pizza that was once served to the stars.
Taco Cabana
Similar to fast-casual Mexican food like Qdoba and Chipotle, Taco Cabana focuses on freshness and hand-made dishes that have been pleasing fans for years.
Hardee's
As well known for their often controversial commercials as their burgers, Hardees, or Carl's Jr. in some regions, was a frequently requested restaurant by local diners. Their Frisco Melt, as pictured above, just might be one reason why.
California Pizza Kitchen
The supposed originator of the now ubiquitous barbecue chicken pizza, California Pizza Kitchen has steadily become a recognized brand far beyond the west coast. While some of the company's products can be found in the grocery store freezer aisle, Lincoln diners are still clamoring for one of the company's restaurants to open locally.
A&W
A classic-diner themed burger joint famous for its root beer, A&W has expanded steadily in the last few years. If a location can open in Germany, as pictured above, where's the Lincoln location?
White Castle
A burger place with a true cult following, White Castle's iconic sliders are some of the most recognizable sandwiches on the market today. Inspiring movies, pop culture and much more, many readers want to see White Castle set up shop locally.
Tastee Inn
While the iconic restaurant may have closed its doors in Lincoln in 2014, many of our readers want to get another taste of Tastee Inn.
Whataburger
What In-N-Out is to the west-coast, Whataburger is to Texas. It's fans are obsessive and Whataburger pays attention to them. Here, Whataguy serves cake to Whataburger super fans Karl and Carol Hoepfner, who have been trying to visit every one of the restaurant's locations.
In-N-Out Burger
A west-coast burger phenomenon, In-N-Out has gained national attention online for its not-so-secret secret menu and commitment to freshness. Even former California Governor and occasional action-star Arnold Schwarzenegger is a fan.
Waffle House
There are 1,500 Waffle Houses spread across 25 states, as far west as Arizona and as far north as Illinois, but the chain is still rooted deeply in the South and retains a distinctively down-home, blue-collar aura. Our readers think Waffle House would be right at home in Lincoln as well.
The Cheesecake Factory
By far, the restaurant that was most requested, The Cheesecake Factory is mostly known for a massive dessert menu and a large, varied list of entrees. While locations mostly are in larger areas, the exclusivity hasn't stopped Lincolnites from wanting the restaurant to come to their hometown.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7391 or psangimino@journalstar.com
On Twitter @psangimino
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Chef at Lincoln restaurant Dish to appear on 'Chopped' - Lincoln Journal Star
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