With Worcester’s Best Chef quickly approaching, we were thrilled to not only hear that Michael Giletto—as seen on Iron Chef America, Chopped, Ultimate Recipe Showdown and The Tyra Banks Show—but also Kiss 108/NECN’s TV Diner’s Billy Costa will be playing prominent roles at this years event.
Tickets are going very fast and can be purchased on the Worcester’s Best Chef web site for a nominal fee. WorcesterScene.com, as media sponsor, will also be giving out free tickets to the event to random people on our e-mail list! To be considered, please sign up for our list here: SceneAlerts.
The Worcester’s Best Chef culinary competition will take place Sunday, January 31, 2010, at historic Union Station, from 4 to 8 p.m., with some exciting developments. “Some Iron Chef elements, like a live Mystery Basket final round, will be added to the event,” said Alina Eisenhauer, one of the competition’s judges and a featured chef on Food Network’s Chopped. Michael Giletto, a celebrity chef from Iron Chef America, Chopped, and the Tyra Banks Show, is one of many highly-accredited chefs that will sit on the panel this year alongside other culinary greats and food critics.
Last year’s winners included Judges’ Choice champion Laddavanh “Anna” Bouphavichith from Yama Zakura in Northboro and People’s Choice champ Wilson Wang from BABA Sushi in Worcester. They will be joined by several other top chefs, all competing in one of three categories, Fine Dining, Asian, and Dessert. The gourmets will all be preparing their very best, as this is no ordinary food show—”The chefs are coming to win and they are bringing their ‘A’ game,” said judge Stanley Nicas from the Culinary Institute of America and The Castle Restaurant. The judges’ criteria are based on those of the Culinary Institute of America, and results are audited and announced by Worcester-based CPA firm, Houssan Ojerholm, PC. Last year’s event saw the likes of stuffed lobster, King Crab, a fully skewered and slow-roasted lamb, caviar-filled sushi, stuffed fillet mignon, and much, much more.
The Worcester’s Best Chef culinary competition also features a full tasting of wines from throughout the world. Guests will also be trained in the art of “Champagne Sabering” by Sir Jeremy John Bell of Scotland, a master of uncorking $80 Perrier-Jouet French Champagne with a 4-foot saber. Sir Jeremy will also indulge guests in the history and tasting of Absinthe, an ancient liquor known as “The Green Fairy”, which inspired world-famous artists like Picasso and Matisse, as well as author Ernest Hemmingway. Guests will witness a Salsa, Cha-Cha and Merengue dance exhibition by the kings of Latin Swing, Salsa Storm, then they will cast their votes via text messaging after tasting the extraordinary delights, but not before they get some relaxing massage therapy courtesy of Theracopia of Soutboro.
Net proceeds will be donated to Worcester Technical High School’s College Scholarship Fund. The intent is to reward young culinary students who are talented and work hard, but don’t have the economic means to continue on to higher culinary education. Students are also paired with mentoring chefs during the competition for training purposes. “Supporting the culinary arts is a very important aspect of this event,” said Peter Crafts, director of technical education at Worcester Technical High School’s $93 million facility in Worcester. Mercury Media & Entertainment, the organizers of the event, plan to introduce a competition this year between the students of the many technical schools from throughout Massachusetts, called Massachusetts Best Student Chef. Worcester’s Best Chef will sell out, as it did last year. Sponsors include United States Army, Percy’s, WorcesterScene.com, Quality Business Graphics, Vantage Printing, WXLO, WCRN, and WSRS. Check out T&G press features and other information, and get $10 off when you buy 2 tickets at WorcestersBestChef.com.
Buy your tickets now, see pricing information at the Worcester’s Best Chef web site.
A drive down Shrewsbury street and you will see some construction on many businesses creating comfortable outdoor seating. In the past, simply throwing a table with a couple chairs on the side walk would be all that was needed for “outdoor seating.” No more. Outdoor seating has really become popular in the city, try some of the newest outdoor seating (and we really mean that it is meant to be outdoor seating for comfort) at: Red Lantern, La Scala, or Flying Rhino. Of course, we anticipate many more restaurants to construct new outdoor seating as the heat begins to rise.
Today, with everything that is happening in your life, maybe Valentine’s Day dinner at home makes sense. Kids, economics, work, whatever it may be, dining out may not be in the cards, but how can you and your loved one still enjoy a great dinner, keep the romance alive and do it all at home? Peppercorn’s Grille on Park Ave is having what they calling the Amore Dinner Special, which is a specially prepared four-course dinner for two which is pre-packaged for you to take home and enjoy. Chef Tommasso has put together a menu that will rival anything you would get in a white linen table clothed restaurant, all ready to take home. From antipasto, to salad, then a choice of four wonderful entrees (file mignon, striped bass, lobster or chicken) and finished with dessert. So if you want a romantic and delicious dinner, but need to stay home to enjoy it, consider Peppercorn’s Grille Amore Dinner Special.
The past week WorcesterScene has received much e-mail trying to find that one special place to go within the city. After partnering with Worcester’s Best Chef Competition we know that there are six great places to try. Although the Judges chose three winners outside of the city, their unique dishes and cooking styles will not disappoint. The People’s Choice awards, however, demonstrates some of the best dishes that the city has to offer.
You be the judge.
Judges 2008 Choice
2008 Results
Judges’ Choice Award:
- Yama Zakura, Northboro, Chef Anna, Tuna Tataki
- Via Alto 27, Clinton, Chef Matrias Farias, Chicken Bracioline
- Cedar Street Restaurant, Sturbridge, Chef William Nemeroff, Korean BBQ Beef Skewer
People’s Choice Award:
- Baba Sushi, Worcester, Chef Wilson Wang, Sushi Medley
- Rovezzi’s Ristorante, Chef Christopher Rovezzi, Roasted Pork Belly with Parsnip Puree
- Cedar Street Restaurant, Chef William Nemeroff, Korean BBQ Beef Skewer
Time is running out…with the competition this Sunday you will want to order on-line to save $10 off the at-the-door price ($40, versus $50)….order using the coupon code “VIP” you’ll get your ticket for $30!
From their web site:
In January of 2007, the first annual Worcester’s Best Chef (WBC) took Central Massachusetts by storm with overwhelming success that echoed on the lips of the spectators and restaurateurs for months thereafter. Held at Historic Union Station, the event sold out quickly and the crowds surged. The public was treated not only to the very best cuisine the region had to offer, but also was delighted by an wine tastings, a fashion show, an educational champagne sabering, a scotch tasting by Chivas Regal, a Port wine tasting from Sandemans, chair massages and a live jazz ensemble as well as a DJ.
The feedback from last year was consistent with one main element – the event was almost too successful. With the crowd at a staggering 1,500 guests, the normally airy venue was wall-to-wall with people.
The WBC board of directors is working diligently to surpass the standard of quality that was set in the first year through the amazing cuisine, indulgent tastings and live entertainment, “but”, says Board Vice Chair Christine Zecker, “We are trying to limit ticket sales to 1,000 in order to ensure that everyone has plenty of room to move around and thoroughly enjoy the evening.” Further, to minimize entrance lines and guarantee admittance, $10 discounts for advanced ticket sales online are being offered. Just enter discount code “VIP” by September 21st.
There have also been a few changes put into the lineup for WBC’s second annual event. The first is a new location: the lovely and spacious Worcester Technical High School. Beyond that, there is greater staff capacity to ensure minimal lines, easy parking, as well as increased wait staff. Additionally, guests can look forward to complimentary chair messages, knife and flame juggling, dance exhibitions by Salsa Storm, Champagne Sabering with Perrier-Jouet, terrific wine and Port tastings, music, and more.
WBC Executive Producer Domenic Mercurio, Jr., says, “We are very excited about this year’s event and fully expect it to sell out. Providing our guests the ultimate level of comfort, relaxation and enjoyment that evening is our primary objective. We intend to close ticket sales before the night of the event and we cannot promise tickets at the door, so we’re urging guests to pre-purchase online.”
On Sunday, September 28, 2008, Worcester’s Best Chefs will defend their “WBC” titles at the second annual Worcester’s Best Chef, as other culinary experts vie to dethrone king pins Chris Rovezzi (Rovezzi’s Restaurant) and Wilson Wang (Ba Ba Sushi). Rovezzi and Wang have been featured together on television and radio programming recently and they are both very determined to retain their titles.
Don’t miss your chance to vote for your favorite Chef. Reserve your tickets online at www.WorcestersBestChef.com. Ten-dollar discounts available by entering discount code “VIP” in the purchase tickets tab, for a total price of $30 versus $50 at the door.
