The multi-purpose room at Co-Lin underwent a transformation and found a whole new purpose Wednesday morning.

Complete with TV cameras, a decorated backdrop and a makeshift kitchen the room usually reserved for meetings some would call boring became the set of a competition based on the Food Network’s show &uot;Iron Chef.&uot;

The Co-Lin version &uot;Iron Teams&uot; featured two local chefs, four hospitality/tourism management students and good smelling food.

In line with the premise of the show, the two chefs had to make a meal in 45 minutes using three surprise ingredients revealed to them at the start of the competition.

The secret ingredients &045;&045; boneless, skinless chicken, eggplant and cushaw squash &045;&045; made it difficult for the two chefs to plan ahead.

&uot;We talked it out before,&uot; Chef Doug Hosford of High Cotton Catering said. &uot;But just the basics, like start off peeling carrots and other preparations.&uot;

Hosford’s team of Kristen Temple and Julia Tyler edged out Chef Jim Anderson of Uptown Grocery and students Bill Green and Michelle Boyte by only nine points on a 400-point scale. The teams were judged on teamwork, showmanship, food presentation, taste and level of difficulty in preparing and cooking. Judges were Gwen McCalip, acting dean of Co-Lin Natchez; Andrew Calvit of Mississippi Valley Gas; Heath Lefebbre, a chef; and Amber Heffner, the Student Government Association president.

&uot;The food was great,&uot; Calvit said. &uot;It was a good show here today and it was sort of a hard decision between the two.&uot;

Hosford’s team prepared fried squash and seasoned pan-fried chicken with celery, carrots and onions and garlic spinach.

Anderson and team prepared a similar dish using a southwestern saut/ and a root beer cream sauce.

&uot;Iron Teams&uot; has been in the works at Co-Lin for about a year, Hospitality/Tourism Management Technology Instructor Russell Archer said.

&uot;We thought it was a unique way for students to show off what they’ve learned,&uot; Archer said. &uot;We wanted to make people aware of what we are all about at Co-Lin.&uot;

Archer picked the four students who participated based on their performance in the classroom.

&uot;It was tough,&uot; he said. &uot;I had quite a few I knew were capable, but I looked at how excited they are about food. I think I picked the right students.&uot;

Boyte said even though her team did not win she still had fun.

&uot;It was very interesting,&uot; she said. &uot;We couldn’t plan, so we just showed up and did what he (Anderson) said.&uot;

Calvit said he thought the competition was a win-win situation for all. &uot;It’s a great chance to see what’s going on right here in Natchez-Adams County and what Co-Lin has to offer to non-traditional students,&uot; Calvit said.

Hosford will face off with a new team against Lefebbre at next year’s &uot;Iron Teams.&uot;

Archer said the event was something they wanted to continue for many years to come.