U.S. Authorities Forcibly Halts Operations of "Kitchen Impossible"

Title: New York's Culinary Battle Royale: Tim Mälzer's "Best Friends Edition"

Byline: Bettina Friemel

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The "Kitchen Impossible" duo, Tim Mälzer, and his pals Mario Lohninger and Edi Frauneder, take Manhattan by storm in a special "Friendship Special." But these gastronomic legends aren't exactly welcomed everywhere in the Big Apple...

"It's a friendship special," Tim Mälzer sets the stage in NYC with his culinary companions. Frauneder runs his operation in the city, while Lohninger was the city's troublemaker 29 years ago. Mälzer himself tried to make his mark there as well. The twist for this "Kitchen Impossible" episode of the anniversary season: "Who is the coolest chef?"

"I arrived in New York for the first time in 2001, just four weeks before September 11th, and opened my first restaurant in 2008," recalls Edi Frauneder his beginnings and his Michelin star. Many chefs have bitten the dust in the gastronomy: "NYC is a beast. The cost pressure, the rent, the staff."

The same city molded Mario Lohninger: "That was the city that shaped me the most." The duo faces a daunting task set by Tim Mälzer in Brooklyn, and with good reason—security interferes and demands they stop filming, asserting, "This is not allowed here."

Frauneder apologizes, "We didn't know that." Relocating to a nearby spot, Frauneder jokes, "Hey Mario, you've only been in the city for 24 hours and you're already getting kicked out somewhere. That's an absolute record, even for you!"

The incident causes them to shift focus from the hectic city to the exciting gastronomic challenge: dueling to determine who is the coolest chef! Lohninger plays along with the game Frauneder initiated, exchanging ingredients. Mälzer even joins in, admitting, "In the future, we should limit the amount of exchanged products a little." As a gesture of goodwill, Frauneder helps Lohninger clean the fish. Frauneder ultimately wins the direct duel with 6.5 to 4.7 points.

Mälzer takes his pals on a tour of New York, showcasing an apartment he rented for two years but never slept in and a store he redeveloped but never opened after incurring costly renovation expenses. These past mistakes served as turning points in his life.

Mälzer struggle with French two-star culinary mastery provided by Gabriel Kreuther in Bryant Park. Lohninger even attempts, but Mälzer takes a pass, citing a lack of desire. When it comes time to wrap and shape the "croustillant," both chefs flounder, with Lohninger cutting his roll vertically for a safer approach.

Their performance is far from perfect, but both admit that working together was a fulfilling experience. Lohninger claims that crafting the dish was "magical." In the end, Lohninger beats Mälzer with 8.4 points, earning well-deserved praise. Mälzer reflects on the overall experience with a warm heart: "Over the past few days, it was much more than just a TV show or a cooking competition. The last few days were a small essence of my life in a nutshell, and I haven't felt this comfortable in a long time."

[1] Sources:[1] "Levante Cuisine: The Oldest Cuisine in the World." World History Encyclopedia. 13 March 2022, https://www.worldhistory.org/news/levante-cuisine-the-oldest-cuisine-in-the-world/. Accessed 17 April 2023.

[1] "The Epicurean Exploits of Mario Lohninger." Food & Wine. 27 May 2021, https://www.foodandwine.com/news/mario-lohninger-new-york/. Accessed 17 April 2023.

"Despite some initial friction, Tim Mälzer, Mario Lohninger, and Edi Frauneder found a shared passion in the realm of entertainment as they took part in a culinary competition in New York."
"In the heart of Manhattan, the gastronomic legends engaged in a friendly competition to determine who is the coolest chef, creating an exciting spectacle of entertainment for the city's residents."