Chef Michael Stoddart wins U.S. 2012 Professional Champion Ice Sculptor

By Season's Catering Posted: February 10th, 2012



Chef Michael Stoddart has been adding a ‘cool’ factor to various events all across central Kentucky for more than ten years now. From exquisite weddings to a variety of corporate affairs, folks near and far have come to admire the finely honed skill and expertise required for each ice sculpture that Chef Michael consistently delivers.

As if being the only professional carver in Central Kentucky wasn’t unique enough, Chef Michael, affectionately nicknamed the “Iceman”, recently added another first to his unique list of accomplishments. Qualifying to compete as one of only a select thirty participants, the Iceman took his talents on the road this past weekend, competing in the National Ice Carving Association’s (NICA) 2012 National Carving Championships held at the Titanic Museum in Branson Missouri. With final sculptures being critiqued by a handful of judges and points being awarded from 10 different categories, Chef Mike received two silver medals in each of the first two competitions and scored third overall in a speed carving competition. His performance helped him accumulate the best overall score throughout the competition, earning him the title of the United States 2012 Professional Champion Ice Sculptor, as awarded by NICA. Winning a title of this magnitude is a really big deal. “It’s like the Olympics of ice carving” said Chef Michael. “It’s a chance to see domestically who is best of the best in competitive ice carving.” Michael admits how much reaching a goal of this magnitude seemed far-fetched in recent years, “…but this is just more proof of what passion and dedication can do for anyone who is willing to work hard to accomplish their goals.”

NICA sanctioned ice carving competitions are typically divided into three skill divisions, a Master division (being the most skilled), a Professional division, and an Amateur division, with age being insignificant in any of the three.


About The Event

The two-day ice carving competition, which drew an estimated 15,000-20,000 visitors watching a combined total of 39,000 pounds of ice being carved, consisted of three uniquely competitive events. In the first competition, qualified competitors were challenged to a skills-related contest where each were given a single, 300lb block of ice and a limited two-hour window to complete a planned sculpture from the 40 x 20 inch wide block. Chef Mike chose a very difficult and risky sculpture, titled The Top of the Blade, which consisted of a Grasshopper sitting on a blade of grass, weighing approximately 200lbs in its finished state.

The second competition was also a skills related event where competitors were offered two 300 lb blocks of ice and four hours to complete their artwork. Chef Mike, again taking a calculated risk, carved a piece titled The Flying Seas, which featured a flying, winged fish and two manta rays swimming around a large base of coral.

The third phase of competition was a speed carving contest where contestants were given a single block of ice and permitted only fifteen minutes to develop the most unique sculpture possible within those confines and the audience selecting the three top performance winners in best of show.

Each division selects Gold, Silver, and Bronze level winners, each of which have an associated point value. Those with the highest accumulated points in each of their divisions are crowned champion in each. In the Master’s level competition, the winner received a prize purse valued at over $25,000 and a chance to represent the United States in the 2014 Winter Olympics to be held in Russia.

Nationals are held annually in various locations around the nation. Talk thru the grapevine is that the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN could potentially host of the 2013 National Ice Carving Championship. All of the NICA events are free to attend and open to the public.


About Chef Michael

Chef Michael Stoddart has invested over 15 years of his culinary profession into mastering the art of hand-crafted ice sculptures. Beyond being a talented culinary artist and parlaying his passion into success as the premier provider of exquisite ice sculptures across central and eastern Kentucky (Seasons Ice), Michael is also the co-owner of Seasons Catering & Special Occasions, one of Lexington’s most preferred catering companies. With turn-around time being minimal and cost being nominal, one can easily see why the latest fashion in social entertaining is quickly becoming Ice Sculpturing.

Michael has been competing in professional ice carving competitions since 2002 and has won a variety of medals and recognition for his talents. Michel’s 15 year old son, Matthew, who has now been carving ice for two years, competes in the Amateur Ice Carving Division. He will be joining his father in participating in the next competition, held on February 24-25 in Perrysburg, OH. The competition will focus on as skills competition utilizing two 300lb blocks of ice and a four hour window for performance.

For more information about Seasons Ice Sculptures, visit www.seasonsice.com or call 859-266-6661.
 


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