First 'Apprentice' Winner's Bill Rancic New Gig
First 'Apprentice' Winner's Bill Rancic New Gig, Bill Rancic’s Chicago: Get Plugged In!, Bill Rancic's venture serves up heartfelt dishes but is a tough challenge for three teams. In this episode of the online competition series “Plugged In,” entrepreneur and first winner of the TV hit “The Apprentice” Bill Rancic takes viewers to his hometown of Chicago, putting six contestants to the test with new challenges of stamina, problem solving and driving skill.
The contestants, working in teams of two and using the all-new 2012 Ford Focus Electric, unravel Rancic’s clues about his favorite Chicago locations, many of which involve his wife Giuliana Rancic. The teams compete to earn “butterfly” points, with the ultimate goal of representing the Windy City in the finale and competing with winners in nine other cities for a chance to win the all-new Focus Electric.
The contestants, working in teams of two and using the all-new 2012 Ford Focus Electric, unravel Rancic’s clues about his favorite Chicago locations, many of which involve his wife Giuliana Rancic. The teams compete to earn “butterfly” points, with the ultimate goal of representing the Windy City in the finale and competing with winners in nine other cities for a chance to win the all-new Focus Electric.
Our first challenge takes the contestants to the RPM Italian, Bill’s latest business venture. Our teams will compete in a cooking contest with a panel of judges made up of Bill, his partner RJ Melman, and Executive Chef Doug Psaltis. They will have 10 minutes to recreate a very special dish they serve at the restaurant, Bucatini Pomodoro, inspired by his mother-in-law, Mama DePandi.
For the second challenge, Rancic sends the participants on a scavenger hunt to visit some of his most beloved locations in the Windy City. The contestants must try to reach as many locations as possible during the allotted time, taking a picture in each location and uploading their photo to Flickr at Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/groups/fordpluggedin/. One stop is to Wendella Boat Tours, famously featured in the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."
Whenever Bill has friends visiting, he takes them on this boat tour. Our teams also have the option of visiting Up Down Cigar, Bill’s favorite Old Town cigar shop. Contestants can also take a trip to Giordano’s to snap a picture underneath the marquee of this quintessential Chicago restaurant and home of the world’s most famous deep-dish pizza. Joe’s Stone Crab, while famous obviously for their crab, is actually Bill’s go-to spot to satisfy his sweet tooth. Bill, often called “The Cookie Monster” by his wife, is a dessert enthusiast and loves every dessert Joe’s Stone Crab has to offer.
Whenever Bill has friends visiting, he takes them on this boat tour. Our teams also have the option of visiting Up Down Cigar, Bill’s favorite Old Town cigar shop. Contestants can also take a trip to Giordano’s to snap a picture underneath the marquee of this quintessential Chicago restaurant and home of the world’s most famous deep-dish pizza. Joe’s Stone Crab, while famous obviously for their crab, is actually Bill’s go-to spot to satisfy his sweet tooth. Bill, often called “The Cookie Monster” by his wife, is a dessert enthusiast and loves every dessert Joe’s Stone Crab has to offer.
Finally, the contestants rendezvous at the Erie Park. Chicago is known for having a wealth of green space, with Erie Park featuring a walking path along the entire Chicago River with a spectacular set of views. Our contestants will be competing in a special Plugged-In version of “The Rancic Challenge,” an annual event Bill started more than 10 years ago with some of his closest friends and traditionally consisting of team-building challenges in the beautiful outdoors. The winner will move on to the finale for their chance to win an all-new Focus Electric.
