It’s Day 2 of the Almost Famous Chef’s Competition here at the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) in Napa Valley. After a grueling first day at the Mystery Basket Competition, chefs gear up to make the dish they know best – their signature winning dish that got them here in the first place.
Yours truly is ready to report! (check out the HUGE bag full of camera gear!)
The hall is ready. Chefs have been cooking since 1pm. They have exactly four hours to prepare their signature dish for 200 people!
In the kitchen, the contestants are hard at work putting the finishing touches on their meals.
Judges look on with watchful eyes (above, Judge Sophie Gayot from GAYOT.com)
Another esteemed judge, Wade Wiestling of the Oceannaire Seafood Room in Minneapolis
All of a sudden, the clock strikes 5pm. Chefs rush to roll their huge warming ovens (on wheels) down to the 2nd floor where the reception is held.
Here are the entries!
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Amanda Digges
Apilada Sani
Brian Schreiber
Dan Luckey
Johnathan Lynch
Justine de Valicourt
Laura Torresin
Luis Young
Peter Clark
Robert Crawford
Timothy DeVore
Our Thoughts
I think it’s pretty cool that we got to try all these dishes. Keep in mind, these dishes were the winning entries in their respective regions. The dishes are complex, full of interesting flavors and components. And exotic! We had lamb, ostrich, duck, chicken, pork belly, cornish hen, venison, halibut . . . I think it’s funny no one did beef.
The dishes took some time to plate. The chefs tried to plate them as fast as possible as hungry guests stood in line at the various stations. It’s pretty amazing to watch. I asked Tim DeVore, “what’s the largest group you’ve ever cooked for?”
His reply? 1400! I guess 200 is nothing compared to that!
We had a great time sampling all the dishes. It was really hard to just pick one dish. I really wish we could have ranked the dishes somehow, or been given the opportunity to vote for more than one dish.
THE WINNERS
The guests voted. And then . . . the winners!
People’s Choice Award (best dish voted by the 200 participants)
Peter Clark from New England!!!
Fan Favorite Award (from online votes)
Johnathan Lynch from Louisiana! (South Central Region)
Mystery Basket Winner – Brian Schreiber from Chicago!
Signature Dish Award
Luis Young from Miami! (South Regional) – I love his expression in this photo. He looks so happy!
The final Crowned Winner of the Entire Competition???
Luis Young!!! He can hardly hold both checks!
Congratulations all around.
Winners with the judges.
Congratulations Luis!
Congrats to Peter!
Thanks to S. Pellegrino for hosting this amazing event!
Congrats to all the chefs! In my mind, you are all winners.
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Other posts from the Napa Valley Series
Welcome Reception
Mystery Basket
Bouchon Bakery
Del Dotto Caves / Winery
Antica Vineyards
Our Excursion: Robert Mondavi and Opus One Vineyards
Redd
The French Laundry
All Rights Reserved
I enjoyed reading about your trip so much! What an experience…and boy what a bunch of talented young chefs! I was amazed by the level of creativity and artistry! The judges must have had a tough time!
COOL-ness! What a great experience! It must have been fun to be around talented chefs and upcoming stars! Lucky you indeed!
Gorgeous post. The creativity of the young chefs is a thing of beauty.
All of these chefs have such promising futures. What great fortune to meet and see their work so early in their careers!
So much fun to follow along with you on this wonderful journey!
This looks like so much fun-even for the chefs who I’m sure were also tense! You all look very happy…
Oh, and, of course, the food looks and sounds amazing…
Wow that seems so fun!
Jen, I’m so excited to see your blog… we’re going to Buenos Aires with friends who found your site (and article) about Casa Coupage, which we’d been discussing as a possible culinary destination. I’m happy to report that I confirmed reservations with them! My chef here in Park City, Utah said she expected me to come back from Argentina with lots of culinary inspiration. I’m determined not to disappoint her!
I was so pleased to see your pictures from CIA, where I was a boot camp student last fall. (I’m returning for the farm to table program this spring.) I’m looking forward to reading your site in detail.
All the best,
Chef Jeff
Hi Chef Jeff,
Thanks for your kind comment! Have a blast in Buenos Aires, it is such a vibrant city full of energy. I do hope you find inspiration from the food there. Congrats on your time at CIA. Hopefully some day I will be able to visit a restaurant where you are cooking. 🙂
Jen