Inaugural Chefs Taste Challenge Seeking Applications

Teri Williams

10 years ago

Calling chefs from all 50 states: apply today for a chance to battle in the inaugural Farm to Table Chefs Taste Challenge (CTC). The Chefs Taste Challenge is currently accepting applications from chefs for this unique event taking place August 7, 2015 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The Chefs Taste Challenge will feature ten chefs from various geographical regions across the United States who will compete to create the best dish that utilizes farm-fresh items from a pantry of seasonal ingredients donated by State Agricultural Departments. Items stocked in the pantry will be representative of ingredients that are in-season in regions across the country at the time of the competition.

Participating chefs’ dishes will be judged by a panel of industry-renowned judges. Confirmed judges so far include Chef Sue Zemanick, the 2014 James Beard award recipient for “Best Chef – South,” Certified Master Chef Brad Barnes of the Culinary Institute of America, and Chef Kevin Belton of the New Orleans School of Cooking, with the top two dishes being selected for Gold and Silver Chefs Taste Challenge awards. A “Fan Favorite” award will also be presented based on voting from dinner attendees. All 10 selected chefs will receive national recognition for their participation in the Chefs Taste Challenge dinner event.

Interested chef participants should refer to the CTC website at chefstastechallenge.com for additional information and rules for the event as well as the consideration and selection process. Applications will only be accepted through online submission. The Farm to Table Executive Advisory Council will review all applications and select those chefs who epitomize the farm to table movement.

The deadline for applications to be submitted online via chefstastechallenge.com is April 15^th, 2015.

The Chefs Taste Challenge is produced by the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, in partnership with the SoFAB Institute and the LSU AgCenter. The CTC is held in conjunction with the Farm to Table International Conference, taking placeAugust 8-10, 2015 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. F2Ti explores the cultivation, distribution and consumption of food and drink sourced locally to globally. For more information on F2Ti, please visit www.f2t-int.com.

posted 3/30/15 by Andrea Gonzalez