Landry’s, Inc. has announced the winners of its 10th Annual Iron Chef Competition, an annual culinary contest in which the company’s most talented executive chefs from coast to coast compete for the title of ‘Landry’s Iron Chef.’
Out of 31 chefs and 65 unique dishes that were presented to a panel of Landry’s executive judges, Anaheim’s – own Luis Martinez, of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., was awarded the top prize in the Unique Side category for his exceptional Cauliflower Mac & Cheese dish.
“Iron Chef creates a culture of culinary innovation at Landry’s restaurants,” said Howard Cole, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President, Landry’s, Inc. “Through this competition, we are able to update our menus with new and exciting dishes, provide a platform for culinary creativity, and promote friendly comradery between the Landry’s concepts.”
The Iron Chef competition, held November 10-11 at the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort, brought 31 executive chefs together to compete for the honor of best new dish. New this year, Landry’s, Inc. Senior Executives and Executive Chefs encouraged and inspired local high school students with its Landry’s Junior Chef Program, designed to give students who are currently pursuing their culinary dreams a valuable insight into the hospitality industry. For a complete list of this year’s Iron Chef winners, please see below:
· Best Overall Dish – Charles Reed, Executive Chef, Golden Nugget Lake Charles for Chocolate Butterscotch Cake
· Winner, Main Course Tier 1 – Faithy Harris, Senior Chef, Yak & Yeti Orlando for Meat and Three
· Winner, Main Course Tier 2 – Jaxon DeSalvo, Executive Sous Chef, Mastro’s Washington DC for Smoked Pork Chop with Cheddar Grits
· Winner, Main Course Tier 3 – Jason Cole, Executive Chef, Brenner’s Steakhouse of Houston for Braised Pork Osso Bucco
· Winner, Unique Side – Luis Martinez, Executive Chef, Bubba Gump Anaheim for Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
· Winner, Unique Salad – Phillip Bouza, Executive Chef, The San Luis Galveston for Maple Sugar Seared Salmon Salad
· Winner, Unique Small Plate/Appetizer – Scott Castel, Concept Executive Chef, Claim Jumper Houston for Asian Style Togarashi Chicken Salad
· Winner, Dessert – Charles Reed, Executive Chef, Golden Nugget Lake Charles for Chocolate Butterscotch Cake
· Winner, Kids Meal Throwdown – Drew Wilson, Executive Chef – Oceanaire Minneapolis for Chicken Cordon Bleu Skewers
