Sexes do battle at The Rumor Mill

The Rumor Mill in Ellicott City will split its six-person chef staff into two teams for a competition tonight and Saturday night. Three of the chefs happen to be women, three men, so they've dubbed it "Battle of the Sexes Cookoff."

"Guests will have the chance to 'sit at the judges' table' and choose which team puts out the best four-course menu and the best individual dish," says an e-mail from the restaurant.

The teams are identified as "Salt" and "Pepper." Here's the menu.

SALT

FIRST COURSE

Eggplant manicotti with a local summer vegetable ragu (vegetarian)

SECOND COURSE

Shrimp & bay scallop with lemon thyme buerre blanc over an asparagus checkerboard

THIRD COURSE

Garlic & rosemary-encrusted ribeye medallion topped with a red wine reduction. Served with pickled local radishes and slow-roasted tournéed potatoes

DESSERT

Classic genoise cake layered with Bavarian cream & local strawberries, topped with marzipan & frozen white chocolate air

PEPPER FIRST COURSE

Potato & leek soup with tournéed potatoes & basil oil (vegetarian)

SECOND COURSE

Soft-shell crab, avocado, & local cucumbers rolled in rice & nori, served with soy aioli & ginger

THIRD COURSE

Gunpowder Falls Trading Co. bison New York Strip, cooked sous-vide & served with blueberry sauce & corn pudding. Paired with Chesapeake Bay rockfish poached in olive oil & served with pear & daikon slaw

DESSERT

Brown sugar torte served with fried banana ice cream & rum whipped cream

PARTICIPATING CHEFS

Gabrielle Jenkins, Johnson & Wales University

John Katz, Johnson & Wales University

Caitlin Morrell, Baltimore International College

Thomas Rullo, Baltimore International College

Patricia Sener, Johnson & Wales University

Sebastien Trossbach, Baltimore International College

Guests are asked to fill out a ballot before they leave. Winners will be announced on the restaurant's website and Facebook page.

Cost depends on how many courses you decide to taste. (You must taste at least one "paired course duo" -- a course from each team -- to participate.)

Individual course: $8

Paired course duo: $14

Full four-course menu: $30

Any four courses: $30

Any six courses: $45

Any eight courses: $60

Prices do not include tax or tip. Reservations available online or by calling (410) 461-0041.

Sun photo by Christopher T. Assaf