12 Chefs of Christmas

This event is like Iron Chef, but instead of a chosen ingredient the chefs are given a chosen ‘craft beer pairing’. The object of the game is to prepare a dish that most compliments a beer crafted by a local brewer (this year it was Flat 12). All of the beers are holiday themed from a blond snickerdoodle to a milk and cookies stout. Some chefs chose a hearty meat dish (Peruvian style steak, pork bellly). Others chose lighter fare, going totally vegetarian (lots of beets represented!). I was most surprised to see desserts including a spicy cheese chocolate brownie and grand marnier covered macaroons. So yummy!
Some of my favorite go-​to restaurants were represented at this event… Cerulean, Shoefly Public House and Pizzaology. My favorite dish was a toss up between Ricky Hatfield’s (Peterson’s) prawn dish and Percy Romo’s (Mambo’s) Peruvian steak. You vote with your dollars for the best dish/​beer combo so if you are at a tie… place the same amount of dollars in each chef’s ‘voting box’!
I still do not know which chef won this year. The winner gets a Zesco prize package and the opportunity to cook for the VIP guests the following year.
This was such a wonderful event. It had a romantic feel to it with the lights dimmed in the City Market, soft glow provided by white Christmas lights. The Unilocal photo booth was a nice touch, and I certainly enjoyed the variety of beer. Plus there wasn’t a limit on how much beer or food you could sample. If you found a favorite, seconds were possible. I had seconds for sure!
Tips for those attending next year: dress attire is cocktail, get there early (or go VIP) to avoid crowding, those carrying a purse should carry one with a strap, and taxi/​Über/​Lyft there as you will want to indulge in the drink provided.

12 Chefs of Christmas is a fundraiser put on by the Indianapolis City Market during the month of December.
Location: The second floor of the Indianapolis City Market.
Price: $ 100/​ticket
How it works: You begin the evening with a glass (for beer). Guests walk to the chefs’ booth, which are scattered around the perimeter of the second floor. At each booth are plated holiday-​themed small plates (sweet or savory) from one of the 12 Indianapolis Chefs. These chefs represent local restaurants in the Indianapolis area. In 2014 the 12 chefs came from eateries including Patachou, The Local, Rook, Shoefly Public House, Spice Box, Peterson’s, and Zest. Guests take the dish if they please, and they are welcome to make as many trips to the booth throughout the evening. (I made about six trips to The Local’s booth for the Pumpkin Foie Gras Tart. I have no shame about that either) Adjacent to each booth is a paired specialty holiday beer from Flat12 Bierwerks. Your glass is filled by a representative from Flat12. Once you have your food and drink, you can enjoy them at one of the many cocktail tables set up at the venue, and when finished, you can continue your culinary journey around the Market for more dishes and drinks.
Highlights: The food ranges from good to amazing. Some chefs are very creative with their food and prepare dishes that you might not find on their usual menus. In 2014 the dishes included ceviche, ravioli, risotto, vegetables, homemade marshmallows, savory cannolis, and tarts. The beers are very creative as well. Whether you like blondes, IPAs, or porters, you’re bound to find a beer you love (For me, there was one stout or porter that had ghost chiles in it, and I found myself making three trips for a small glass.) In addition, guests get to vote on their favorite sweet and savory dish of the evening. It can be a hard choice.
Critiques: There are lots of people who come to this event, which means crowds and long lines. Sometimes you can’t find a table, or the table has trash on it and there aren’t enough volunteers to help clear as quickly as one would like. (Side note: if you volunteer at these events, you usually have time to enjoy the food and beverage either before or after you work your shift. The more people who volunteer, then the most efficient an event can be.) At the same time, that’s pretty much what you can expect at any of these kinds of events: lots of people waiting in line for delicious stuff. Personally I think the wait is worth the reward.
If you can look past the price (Psst: It’s a fundraiser. It’s going to a good cause), then you should definitely check this event out. You’ll leave with a jolly, full stomach.