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.
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
Wilson Wang and Chef Mike defend their ‘WBC’ title, September 28, 2008. A Repeat?
Over the past few years many restaurants have competed furiously to win over the stomachs of thousands. Although each restaurant in the city may claim to have the best chef in the city, it wasn’t until last year that the Worcester’s Best Chef officially came together to crown Wilson Wang and Chef Mike as the 2007 Worcester’s Best Chef from Ba Ba Sushi on Park Ave.
The Worcester’s Best Chef competition is in full force again for this September 28 competition where the public votes on who is the best chef! This exciting, one-of-a-kind culinary competition is expected to sell out quickly, so be certain to reserve your place for you and your friends to vote on all of the wonderful contestants, enjoy a chair massage, and follow Sir Jeremy John Bell to the stage where they will chop the top off of a bottle of Perrier-Jouet Champagne with a gleaning sword! Taste the best..Perrier, relax with some Tawny Port, take in the live dance exhibitions and learn who the 2008 Worcester’s Best Chef is!
Enjoy the pre-registry reduced price of $40 per ticket available at the web site for a limited time. And if you can’t wait, visit the Worcester’s Best Chef Pre-Taste at Diamond Chevrolet during Cruise Night, Wednesday, August, 13th as Chef Chris and Chef Wang give you a taste of what’s to come!
