First Bell Rings at Edelyn

-Punta Gorda, Fla.
-In an attempt to make up a 90-minute delay, the cooking start bell has rung here at Edelyn Cooking Arena at 8:53 p.m., seven minutes earlier than the rescheduled start time of 9 p.m.

Once all chefs had declared themselves ready, Acting Head Chef Jim McAllister asked that the bell be rung "immediately."

The 3 to 3 1/2-hour exhibition, in which 124 Thanksgiving-style meals will be prepared, could end as late as 12:30 a.m. local time.

McAllister satisfied the delay-ridden crowd at ECA early, with a quadruple flip and 10 NCA points racked up in the opening minutes.

Of the 124 turkey meals, 10 are expected to be consumed by attendees and critics. The other 114 will be donated to food banks and other charities.

FF Wire Service