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Center for Community Solutions (CCS) will host the 10th Annual Chef Showdown on Thursday, September 18, from 6-9pm at an exciting new venue - the San Diego Harley Davidson on Morena Boulevard. The annual fundraising event kicks off Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is held in October throughout the country. This one-of-a-kind culinary event will benefit the programs and services of CCS, a San Diego nonprofit that provides advocacy, legal support, healing and prevention services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse. In addition to offering tastes from some of the area's best eateries, the event highlights San Diego top chefs participating in an “Iron Chef” style competition where two teams of chefs and mixologists will compete using a secret ingredient and their dishes must pass muster in front of 8 judges.
Chef Showdown is a fundraising event with a net income goal of at least $100,000 which will go towards supporting the Center for Community Solutions. Over 600 supporters including individuals, businesses, corporate sponsors, political and community leaders attend the culinary event to enjoy the chef competition, taste an array of delectable creations from more than 20 restaurants, sample a variety of wines and bid on auction items.
This year’s competing chefs - some of the best in San Diego – include Amy Dibiase from Tidal, Brandon Fortune from Kitchen 1540, Karrie Hills from The Red Door, Accursio Lota from Solare Ristorante, Jason McLeod from Ironside Fish & Oyster Bar, Aaron Obregon from soon-to-be-opening Zarco Comida de Baja in Chula Vista, Lori Saurer from George’s at the Cove, Donald Lockhart from Cusp, Augie Saucedo from Brothers Signature Catering & Events, and Andrew Bachelier from Cucina Enoteca. Each team will also be paired with a mixologist team - Jeff Josenhans & Alberto Hollman from Grant Grill, and Frankie and Mike Yen from Snake Oil. 
The judges for the competition are Chef Bernard Guillas from The Marine Room, Restaurateur Ingrid Croce, Celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey, Maria Desiderata Montana from San Diego Food Finds, Executive Chef Paul McCabe, and Executive Chef Flor Franco from the newest restaurant in the Guadalupe Valley, Convivia Artesanal. In addition, two judge spots will be available to bid on during the live auction portion of the evening. Emmy Award winner Sam "The Cooking Guy" Zien will host the competition.Participants will have a chance to sample delectable tastings from some of San Diego’s best restaurants, breweries, wineries, spirit companies and vendors, including Barrio Star, Brothers Signature Catering & Events, Convivia at Encuentro Guadalupe, Croce’s Park West, Cucina Enoteca, Culture Brewing, Cupcakes Squared, Cusp, Eclipse Chocolate, George’s at the Cove, Grant Grill, Green Acre, Hillcrest Brewing Co., Ironside Fish & Oyster, Jamul Brewery, Karl Strauss, Kitchen 1540, Lost Abbey, Mamma Chia, Mia Francesca, Nespresso, Nolet Spirits, Olivetti’s Fine Oils and Vinegars, TIDAL, Sadie Rose Baking Co, San Diego Paella, Snake Oil, Solare Ristorante, Urban Mo’s Bar & Grill, URBN Coal Fired Pizza, Uptick Winery, The Red Door, The West Bean Coffee House, The Wild Thyme Catering Company, Venissimo Cheese, and the soon-to-be-opening Zarco Comida de Baja!
Founded in 1969, Center for Community Solutions assists more than 11,000 women, children and families affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse each year. CCS operates the only Rape Crisis Center in the City of San Diego along with a 24-hour bilingual crisis helpline as well as hospital and court accompaniment services for rape survivors, legal and advocacy for domestic violence and elder abuse survivors, and prevention and education outreach to youth of all ages. CCS provides two 24-hour emergency shelter and transitional housing programs for victims of domestic violence and their children.
Chef Showdown will be held at San Diego Harley Davidson located at 4645 Morena Boulevard. For more information, visit ccssd.org and check out the video below.
