Lisa Carlson and Carrie Summer don’t have a television.
But the proprietors of Minnesota and Wisconsin’s Chef Shack food trucks and restaurant — Carlson cooks the savory smoked meats and Summer makes the sweets — have made their share of TV appearances.
Including last night, on “Beat Bobby Flay,” the Food Network competition that pits chefs head-to-head against the celebrity.
(If you don’t want the ending spoiled, stop here and stream the episode, called “It’s a Date.”)
Last May, the couple spent nine hours on a soundstage deep in Brooklyn. Carlson and Summer competed against one another at the start, and Carlson was selected to go up against Flay.
“We’re pretty competitive and collaborative,” Summer said about their not-so-vicious rivalry.
For the main event, Carlson crafted a meatloaf sandwich inspired by her and Summer’s travels to Thailand. She brought in the flavors of ginger and lemongrass, cilantro and a quick pickle, and served it on crusty bread. And she talked about their travels.
“In Thailand, it’s more of a fried pork ball,” Carlson said. Her meatloaf version was a healthier spin, and the judges, which included Ted Allen, Alex Guarnaschelli and Alton Brown, were “complimentary.”