Kevin Lee's Cinderfella story continues on TOC V

Local chef moves into the Elite Eight in $150,000 Food Network throwdown

Chef Kevin Lee is still at the ball, folks.

He’s officially playing the role of Cinderfella on Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions after Sunday night’s defeat of two-time Top Chef star Shirley Chung in the $150,000 culinary contest.

Lee was an alternate for the show when he flew to California last fall, but just the day after arriving he was tapped to compete. After fighting he way through a qualifying round, Lee upset former champion Brooke Williamson in the first round of the bracket.

The March madness continued Sunday when Lee faced Chung in a battle the randomizer dictated would include sea trout and acorn squash that is cooked on the grill for Sunday supper.

Chefs had 35 minutes to prep and execute for judges Marcus Samuelsson, Miranda Garcia, Scott Conant.

Despite a mishap with his first batch of grilled acorn squash, Lee won with Bibimbap and Soy-Marinated Sea Trout. He beat Chung’s Grilled Sea Trout with Acorn Squash and Napa Cabbage Stew by four points, 90-86. No surprise, Lee’s Bibimbap at Birdie’s is sublime.

Reckon a sea trout variation will be featured soon?

Birdie’s by chef Kevin Lee is usually closed on Sundays, but he opened the bar to host a watch party. Look for another watch party as he moves into the Elite Eight to face veteran celebrity chef Antonia Lofaso, who bested Michael Voltaggio.

TOC isn’t the only show set to feature Oklahoma chefs this year.