Celebrity chef, Tim Hollingsworth, brought gourmet flair to the talk show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, as he promoted ChainFest, the world’s first chain-food festival. With his culinary expertise, Hollingsworth aimed to transform iconic chain dishes into gourmet creations.
During his appearance, Hollingsworth showcased some of his innovative dishes. One of them was the Chili’s baby back rib-wich, which was made with a glaze featuring a rare $3,000 bottle of Pappy Van Winkle. Another mouthwatering creation was the elevated version of Jack in the Box tacos, made with Wagyu beef and served with curly fries and a sweet-and-sour Pepsi sauce.
Not stopping there, Hollingsworth also experimented with Dunkin’ Donuts. He introduced a variety of donuts, like the creme brulee and bacon flavors, and turned the iconic strawberry donut into a refreshing drink with espresso and sprinkles.
Last but not least, Hollingsworth took on Red Robin’s famous burgers and created a burgertini. This unique concoction featured a savory beef broth, offering a whole new twist on a classic burger experience.
To make the segment even more exciting, Hollingsworth challenged Jimmy Fallon and Tariq Trotter to The Tonight Show Chain Challenge. In this challenge, they had 45 seconds to create their own original menu items using existing chain-restaurant foods. The catch was that they had to transform the dishes into something new. With the help of Chef Tim and his discerning taste buds, a winner was chosen and awarded “The Tonight Show” Chain Championship Chain.
As the audience eagerly watched, Jimmy and Tariq put their culinary skills to the test. Jimmy went for a Korean-style chicken sandwich, with nuggets and gochujang, a spicy Korean paste. Tariq opted for a chicken doughnut, combining the flavors of chicken, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Both dishes impressed Chef Tim with their creativity and taste.
In the end, Tariq emerged as the winner of the challenge, taking home “The Tonight Show” Chain Championship Chain. The segment was filled with laughter, excitement, and, most importantly, delicious food.
To catch more of Chef Tim Hollingsworth‘s culinary creations, be sure to visit ChainFest in Los Angeles from December 1st to 3rd. With his talent for upcycling chain dishes into gourmet wonders, it’s an event food lovers won’t want to miss.
Stay tuned for more entertaining segments on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as Jimmy continues to bring laughter, celebrities, and unforgettable moments to late-night television.
