The American Culinary Federation and the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival are proud to announce the winners of this year's Chef of the Fest Competition Presented by Creekstone Farms, an annual competition that brings chefs head-to-head in a culinary competition judged by the San Diego Chapter for the American Culinary Federation. Top honors and the title of "Chef of the Fest" went to Chef Tommy Fraioli of Sea Rocket Bistro. During the Wine Spectator Celebrity Chef Luncheon & Live Auction on Sunday, November 18, the "Top 5" winners were announced to conclude the weeklong food and wine festival, said San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival co-producer Michelle Metter.
"San Diego is home to some of the country's most talented chefs and we are proud to showcase the culinary talent that is alive and thriving right here in our city," added Metter. "Our goal with the Chef of the Fest Competition is to help put a national spotlight on San Diego as a serious foodie destination, and this year's competition has done just that. We congratulate all of the winners who participated in the competition on their hard work and dedication. This year's winners have set the bar high and we look forward to seeing what culinary delights next year's competition brings."
The Chef of the Fest Competition is judged by the San Diego Chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), a professional organization of chefs and culinarians. The San Diego Chapter Secretary, Chef Katherine Emmenegger, was lead coordinator of the judging process. In addition to ACF judges, celebrity chef guest judges rounded out the judging panel and included Food Network alum and James Beard award winner for 2001 Outstanding Pastry Chef of the Year Gale Gand, Food Network alums The Hearty Boys and Chef Suzette Gresham of Michelin-rated San Francisco restaurant Acquerello.
Chef of the Fest Judges included:
- Chef Katherine Emmenegger, Lead Coordinator - Executive Chef, Great News Cooking School
- Chef Urs Emmenegger, Assistant Coordinator - Executive Chef/Chairman of the Board ACF, San Diego Chapter
- Chef Dustin Homen, ACF Judge - Executive Sous Chef, Barona Resort & Casino
- Chef Gary Thompson, ACF Judge - Executive Chef and Hamilton Meats Associate
- Chef Kurt Wafler, ACF Judge - Executive Chef Instructor San Diego Culinary Institute
- Chef Steve McDonagh, Celebrity Chef Judge - Cookbook author/Co-owner of HEARTY in Chicago
- Chef Dan Smith, Celebrity Chef Judge - Cookbook author/Co-owner of HEARTY in Chicago
- Chef Suzette Gresham, Celebrity Chef Judge - Chef/Owner of Acquerello in San Francisco
- Chef Gale Gand, Celebrity Chef Judge - Partner/Executive Pastry Chef of TRU in Chicago
This year's Chef of the Fest Competition was judged for the first time through a blind tasting. 32 competitors were carefully narrowed down to ten finalists and five category winners using a graded point system, including scores for presentation, flavor, innovation, quality of product, and preparation in the allotted time.
"This is the pinnacle event for foodies and wine enthusiasts," said Chef Katherine Emmenegger, lead coordinator for the judging. "Each year local San Diego chefs combine innovation and talent to create show-stopping delicacies in the Chef of the Fest Competition. Our judges carefully rate each dish on its own merits with the highest scoring dish taking the prize. The competition was fierce."
The sixth through tenth place winners and category winners of the Chef of the Fest Competition were announced on-site Saturday, November 17 at the Grand Tasting Event inside the Creekstone Farms Premium Beef Pavillion. First through fifth place winners were invited to attend the Wine Spectator Celebrity Chef Luncheon & Live Auction on Sunday, November 18, where the "Chef of the Fest" winner Chef Tommy Fraioli of Sea Rocket Bistro was announced. Creekstone Farms presented Fraioli with a check for $1,000.
The 2012 Chef of the Fest Competition results are as follows:
1st Place Grand Prize Winner
Tommy Fraioli - Sea Rocket Bistro
Deconstructed Banh Mi Vietnamese Sandwich including Pork Cheek, Jalapeño, Cilantro, Carrots, Cucumbers, and Daikon
2nd Place Winner
Amy DiBiase - The Shores Restaurant
Lightly Smoked Loch Ezite Steel Head Salmon with Beat Relish, Local Citrus, and Horseradish Cooked Fresh
3rd Place Winner
Jon Sloan - Roy's Restaurant
Surf & Turf "Ramen" Style: Berkshire Pork Belly, Nori-Shrimp Sheet, Ramen/Dashi Broth Gel, Various Accompaniments
4th Place Winner
Anthony Sinsay - Burlap
Cider Poached Sweet Bread, Apple Kimchee, Apple Puree, Rosemary "Smoke," Julian Apple in Textures
5th Place Winner
Scott Thomas Dolbee - Kitchen 1540
Creekstone Farms Beef Rib Eye Carpaccio, Smoked Albacore, Cheese Cracker, Chow Chow
6th Place Winner
Dustin Anselm - Jake's Del Mar
Seared Sea Scallop, Bacon Scented Dashi, Shitake Mushroom, Butternut Puree, Pickled Mustard Seeds, and Sea Beans
7th Place Winner
Neil Dandekar - Vela Restaurant
Crispy Pork Terrine with Marrow Butter, Micro Mustard, Apple Salad, and Local Julian Apple Sauce
8th Place Winner
Aron Schwartz - Marina Kitchen
Makers Mark Milkshake: Bourbon, Ice Cream, Homemade Caramel Sauce, and Brandt Beef Bacon
9th Place Winner
Stephen Window - Roppongi Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Lobster Tiger Shrimp Shu Mai, Ogo Salad Coconut Broth
10th Place Winner
Nicholas Bour - Rancho Bernardo Inn
Suckling Pig Terrine with Lillet Gelée and Pickled Vegetables
Vegetarian/Raw Category Winner
Eric Bauer - Veladora
Charred & Roasted Baby Sweet Pepper; Trio of Quinoa, House Made Farmers Cheese, Ramesco Sauce, Petite Herbs, Organic Olive Oil
Meat Category Winner
Tommy Fraioli - Sea Rocket Bistro
Poultry Category Winner
Javier Placentia - Romesco Baja Med
Black Mole Turkey Steamed Buns, Pickled Chayote and Preserved Kabocha Squash, Fermented Corn and Morita Chile Condiment
Seafood Category Winner
Amy DiBiase - The Shores Restaurant
Dessert Category Winner
Aron Schwartz - Marina Kitchen
A combined $50,000 worth in cash and prizes were awarded to the Chef of the Fest Competition winners. First place winner Fraioli's walked away with a $1,000 cash prize awarded by Creekstone Farms. Other prize highlights included an invitation to headline the 2013 San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, a feature in Cooking Light Magazine's The Dish, Taylor Guitar GS Mini Guitar, Lamborghini Corsa watch, Big Green EGG Outdoor Cooker with accessories, True Professional Wine Refrigeration Unit and round-trip airfare for two on Southwest Airlines.
The second place winner received $750 cash, a Chef of the Fest winner profile on , a Shun handcrafted knife from , Big Green EGG Outdoor Cooker with accessories, round-trip airfare for two on Southwest Airlines, and more. Additional prizes were awarded for forth through tenth place.
In addition to the Chef of the Fest Competition, this is the first year the wine and food festival has hosted the People's Choice Award. Attendees had the opportunity to vote via text on their cell phones for their favorite Chef of the Fest competitor and could view results in real time at the Creekstone Farms Premium Beef Pavilion, where they were broadcast live via television. The Pearl Hotel's Chef Jaison Burke won the popular vote for his dish, Pumpernickel Duck: Duck Rillete, Black Russian Bread Crisp, Dijon Boursin, and Celery.
The Chef of the Fest Competition was hosted by Big Green Egg and sponsored by Dining Out Magazine, Cooking Light Magazine, , , Shun, Southwest Airlines, True, Partagas, Taylor Guitar, Lamborghini, San Diego Magazine, and Sidney Frank.
The will take place on November 13- 17, 2013. For more information, visit .
