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    Home » US Travel » California » Napa Valley

    Signature Dish Competition

    Published: Mar 12, 2010 · Modified: Oct 23, 2014 by Jennifer Che

    _MG_2869-1
    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.
    CIA
    Yours truly is ready to report! (check out the HUGE bag full of camera gear!)
    CIA 2nd floor
    The hall is ready. Chefs have been cooking since 1pm.  They have exactly four hours to prepare their signature dish for 200 people!
    CIA kitchen
    In the kitchen, the contestants are hard at work putting the finishing touches on their meals.
    CIA kitchen
    Judges look on with watchful eyes (above, Judge Sophie Gayot from GAYOT.com)
    _MG_2882-4
    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!
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Signature Dish


    Amanda Digges
    AmandaDiggesFinal-1

    Apilada Sani
    ApiladaSaniFinal-2

    Brian Schreiber
    BrianSchreiberFinal-3

    Dan Luckey
    DanLuckeyFinal-4

    Johnathan Lynch
    JonathanLynchFinal-5

    Justine de Valicourt
    JustineDeValicourtFinal-6

    Laura Torresin
    LauraTorresinFinal-1

    Luis Young
    LuisYoungFinal-1

    Peter Clark
    PeterClarkFinal-1

    Robert Crawford
    RobertCrawfordFinal-3

    Timothy DeVore
    TimothyDeVoreFinal-1

    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!!!
    People's Choice

    Fan Favorite Award (from online votes)
    Johnathan Lynch from Louisiana! (South Central Region)
    _MG_2966-6

    Mystery Basket Winner - Brian Schreiber from Chicago!
    Brian Schreiber

    Signature Dish Award
    Luis Young from Miami! (South Regional) - I love his expression in this photo.  He looks so happy!
    _MG_2980-7

    The final Crowned Winner of the Entire Competition???

     Luis Young!!! He can hardly hold both checks!
    _MG_2985-8
    Congratulations all around.
    _MG_2995-9
    Winners with the judges.
    _MG_3002-1
    Congratulations Luis!
    _MG_2998-10
    Congrats to Peter!
    _MG_3007-3
    Thanks to S. Pellegrino for hosting this amazing event!
    _MG_3005-2
    Congrats to all the chefs! In my mind, you are all winners.
    IMG_2502-4
    ---------
    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

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    All Rights Reserved

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    Jennifer Che Tiny Urban Kitchen

    Hi, my name's Jen and welcome to my cooking, eating, and travel site! I am an expat who moved from Boston to Hong Kong 5 years ago. Born and raised in Ohio to Taiwanese immigrant parents, I am a chemistry nerd, patent attorney by day, blogger by night, church musician on weekends, and food enthusiast always. Feel free to explore away, maybe starting with the Recipe Index or one of the travel pages! I hope you enjoy this site!

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