As the holiday season comes to a close, many of us are left with an abundance of delicious but unfinished meals in our refrigerators. Mashed potatoes, glazed ham, gravy, and stuffing are just a few of the festive leftovers that tend to linger long after the celebrations have ended. While these dishes are undoubtedly tasty, there are only so many days in a row one can eat them before craving something new.
If you find yourself at a loss for what to do with your holiday leftovers, fear not. The third annual “Battle of the Holiday Leftovers” is here to provide some inspiration. Airing on GMA3: What You Need to Know, this friendly competition will see acclaimed chefs duke it out to see who can transform leftover food into something new and exciting.
Anchors DeMarco Morgan and Eva Pilgrim will be joined by co-anchor ABC News medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton and ABC News contributor Rocsi Diaz to host the seasonal showdown. The competition will feature three well-known chefs: Rocco DiSpirito, Frances Tariga, and Tatiana Rosana. Each chef will design and cook their ideal dish for repurposing holiday leftovers on-air, showcasing their unique culinary styles in the process.
The contestants will be judged by a panel of esteemed guests, including restaurateur and celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, stand-up comedian and actor Michelle Buteau, and musician and producer Percy Miller, also known as Master P. After tasting each dish, the judges will select a winner who will receive a $10,000 prize to donate to the charity of their choice.
Executive producer for GMA3, Cat McKenzie, shared that the chefs play for meaningful charities, making the competition even more special. In addition to the creative cooking and charitable donations, viewers can expect a fun surprise at the end of the episode.
While watching the competition, viewers can pick up some tips and tricks for repurposing their own holiday leftovers. Host DeMarco Morgan’s family opts for a pasta dish with heavy cream, cheeses, and garlic, baked to perfection. Eva Pilgrim, on the other hand, enjoys mixing leftovers with rice, eggs, and hot sauce for a flavorful meal.
Don’t miss the Battle of the Holiday Leftovers airing on ABC on December 26 at 1 p.m. EST/12 p.m. CST. Tune in to witness the culinary creativity unfold and gather some ideas for transforming your own leftovers into something new and exciting.
