Gourmet Again Chef Among 'Elite 8' in Cookoff

Pikesville Chef Melissa Fordham is now among the top eight in a Central Maryland cookoff for charity.

Fordham, of , has won her first round in the , and moves on to round two Tuesday.

She will face Chef Jeff Keeney, who is Fordham's coworker from many years ago, according to a news release from the tournament.

Tournament officials have billed the Tuesday contest between Fordham and Keeney as a 'grudge match.'

That's because Fordham previously knocked Keeney out of this same tournament, the release states. "Chef Keeney has waited two years for a rematch."

The cookoff is held at Blobs Park Bavarian Biergarten, and is being held to benefit Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland.

Ten percent of ticket sales go to the charity, the release states.

Fordham is among the eight remaining chefs in the tournament, known as the 'elite eight' by officials.

Competing on Monday will be Chef Patrick "Opie" Crooks of Roy's Restaurant Baltimore and Chef Billy Hughes of Barracudas restaurant and tavern in Locust Point.

Competition dates remaining include Monday and Tuesday, as well as Aug. 13, 14, 20 and 21, and the Sept. 10 final.

Each event begins at 6 p.m., with judging beginning at 8 p.m.

For the complete competition schedule and results, visit the tournament website.

Advance tickets cost $25 each, including tax and gratuity.

Each ticketholder gets admission to the competition, free appetizers, wine tastings and drink specials during happy hour.

Tickets to help judge, and to taste chef's creations cost $45 each, and include VIP seating.

The event is held at Blobs Park, 8024 Max Blobs Park Road in Jessup.