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| Photo by Denise Jones, Newf In My Soup Photography |
Chef Duvinh Ta of Jake's Del Mar took home top honors this year from the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, overcoming many other competitors to win the annual "Chef of the Fest" competition at yesterday's Grand Tasting event with his dry-rubbed pork ribs with Samba BBQ sauce and a watermelon radish and zucchini slaw. The annual competition brings San Diego chefs head-to-head in a fierce culinary competition judged by the San Diego Chapter of the American Culinary Federation along with celebrity guest judges.
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| Bub's -Photo by Denise Jones, Newf In My Soup Photography |
“Year after year, San Diego’s best chefs showcase the outstanding culinary talent found within our city at the Chef of the Fest Competition. This year’s Chef of the Fest participants once again raised the bar and prepared a selection of impressive offerings - putting out dishes that truly represented the best of San Diego’s epicurean talent,” added Metter. “The level of innovation and creativity placed in each dish represents the world class flavors that wine and food festival attendees experience each year. We commend the winners of this year’s competition on their hard work and passion for culinary artistry.”
Each year, the San Diego Chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), a professional organization of chefs and culinarians, judges the Chef of the Fest Competition. The San Diego Chapter Secretary, Chef Katherine Emmenegger, was lead coordinator of the judging process. Eight celebrity chef guests joined in judging responsibilities, Chef of the Fest Judges included:
1. William Bradley, Celebrity Chef Judge – Executive Chef and Director, Addison at the Grand Del Mar
2. James Campbell Caruso, Celebrity Chef Judge – Chef and Ownter, La Boca and Taberna in Santa Fe, New Mexico
3. RJ Cooper, Celebrity Chef Judge – Chef-Owner, Rogue 24 and Gypsy Soul in Washington D.C.
4. Katsuya Fukushima, Celebrity Chef Judge – Chef-Owner, Daikaya in Washington D.C.
5. Axel Dirolf, Celebrity Chef Judge – Executive Chef of Culinary Operations, SeaWorld San Diego and Aquatica
6. Suzette Gresham, Celebrity Chef Judge – Executive Chef, Acquerello, San Francisco
7. Dustin Homen, Celebrity Chef Judge – Senior Executive Chef, Morrison Management Specialists
8. Kurt Waefler, Celebrity Chef Judge – Instructor and Executive Chef, San Diego Culinary Institute
For the third year in a row, the 2014 Chef of the Fest Competition was judged using a blind-tasting format. Thirty-six competitors were carefully narrowed down to 10 finalists and five category winners using a graded point system. Participants were ranked based on cumulative scores considering the dish’s presentation, flavor, innovation, quality of product, and preparation in the allotted time.
The “Top 10” finishers, category winners, and People’s Choice Award winner were announced on-site Saturday, November 22 at the Grand Tasting Event at the Big Green Egg Grill Zone Demonstration Stage.
The 2014 Chef of the Fest Competition results are as follows:
1st Place Grand Prize Winner
Duvinh Ta – Jake’s Del Mar
Dry Rubbed Pork Ribs | Sambal BBQ Sauce | Watermelon Radish | Zucchini Slaw
2nd Place Winner
Todd Nash – Bub’s At The Ballpark
House-Smoked Pork Collar BLT: House-Smoked Pork Collar Bacon| Tomato Jam | Frisée | Quail Egg | Kewpie Mayo | Sweet Role
3rd Place Winner
Alex Carballo – URBN Coal Fired Pizza
Pork Rojo Street Tacos: Pork Braised in Ancho Chili Sauce | Cilantro Slaw | Avocado Crema
4th Place Winner
Chef Kappa – Bang Bang
Tuna Tartare Tacos: Crispy Wonton Shells | Garlic Ginger Ponzu | Marinated Tuna Tartare | Guacamole Espuma | Micro Cilantro
5th Place Winner
Aron Schwartz – Marina Kitchen
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup | Smoked Brisket
Honorable Mention
Tomas Baistrocchi – Avant
Uni Panna Cotta | Cauliflower | Lardo
Honorable Mention
Brandon Fortune – Kitchen 1540
Chicken n’ Dumplings
Honorable Mention
Jon Sloan / Richard Blais – Juniper & Ivy
Sunchoke Bark | Uni |Matsutake | Smoke
Honorable Mention
James Montejano – La Valencia Hotel
Seafood Trilogy: Opah Prosciutto | Seared Kajiki | Sake | Plum Sauce | Coconut Foam | Uni Crème Brulee
Honorable Mention
Abe Botello – West Coast Tavern
Pork Belly & Waffles: Bourbon Smoked Maple Syrup | Garlic Butter & Bacon
Vegetarian/Raw Category Winner
Francesca Penoncelli – BiCE Ristorante
Piava Cheese | Delicate Chestnut Honey Tempura | Tomato Jam
Meat Category Winner
Todd Nash – Bub’s At The Ballpark
House-Smoked Pork Collar BLT: House-Smoked Pork Collar Bacon| Tomato Jam | Frisée | Quail Egg | Kewpie Mayo | Sweet Role
Poultry Category Winner
Brandon Fortune – Kitchen 1540
Chicken n’ Dumplings
Seafood Category Winner
Chef Kappa – Bang Bang
Tuna Tartare Tacos: Crispy Wonton Shells | Garlic Ginger Ponzu | Marinated Tuna Tartare | Guacamole Espuma | Micro Cilantro
Dessert Category Winner
Derek Jaeger– The Cravory
Persian inspired Cookies and Cream: Saffron Vanilla Ice Cream | Ginger Oil |Honey Pistachio Cookie | Pistachio Brittle, Fleur de Sel
Cash and prizes were awarded to the Chef of the Fest competition winners, including a feature in Cooking Light magazine, a feature in Dining Out Magazine, NBC 7 Winner Profile, Big Green Egg Large Grill Set, Celebrity Cruises Gift Card, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Palm Bay International Gift, American Harvest Gift Basket, Partagas Cigar Gift Set, Calphalon Cookware Set, Riedel Decanter, and a year’s supply of Yancey’s Fancy. Additional prizes were awarded for second through 10th place and People’s Choice.
In 2013, Chef Rich Sweeney wowed the judges with his duck fat-fried beignets, burnt orange cream, smoked duck "dust" and crispy glazed duck skin to win "Chef of the Fest" honors. Chef Tommy Fraioli of Beaumont's won in 2012.
For more information on the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, visit sandiegowineclassic.com.
