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    Home » US Travel » California » Napa Valley

    9th Annual S. Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef's Competition Nationals

    Published: Mar 11, 2011 · Modified: Oct 23, 2014 by Jennifer Che

    CIA (Culinary Institute of America)
    Culinary Institute of America

    Guess what?

    I'm going to Napa Valley again! I'll be covering the Finals for the S. Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Competition this weekend. It was barely over a month ago that I went to the New England Regionals competition, held virtually in my backyard at Bunker Hill Community College. I'll definitely be cheering on our local winner, Anthony J. Messina from the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts.

    The stakes are high in this competition! First of all, you have all of the regional winners coming together here, so competition is stiff! Second, winner of the Nationals Competition gets $20,000 along with a one year paid apprenticeship from one of the chef judges!
    CIA kitchen
    Last year was my first time coming. Foodbuzz held a contest to send one person to attend this event as a VIP. I was shocked but totally thrilled to be chosen. VIPs are treated really well! You can check out a summary guide to all the activities I attended here. If you're curious, here's the winning post from last year.

    It's so cool to watch these accomplished young chefs execute such amazing dishes under such pressure. I can't wait to see what they have in store this year!
    Luis Young
    If you want to watch the competition this weekend, it will be streamed live from this link. Hosts this year are Ralph Pagano (STK Miami Executive Chef and also finalist from "Hell's Kitchen" Season One) and Gail Simmons, Food &Wine's Special Projects Director and Bravo's "Top Chef" Judge.

    Mystery Basket Competition
    Each competitor must transform a set of mystery ingredients into a delicious entrée in two hours or less. The winner receives $3,000.
    Sat 3/12, 10:30am-2:00pm PST

    People’s Choice Tasting Gala and Award Reception
    Competitors will prepare their signature dishes, with the help of an appointed sous chef, for 200 VIP guests at a gala dinner. The winner receives $3,000. Gala participants will also vote on their favorite chef. This winner will also receive $3000.
    Sun 3/13, 5:30pm-8:00pm PST

    You can also vote for your fan favorite! Fan favorite also wins $3000. Better yet, people who vote get a chance to be entered to win a trip to Napa next year! Voting Starts Sunday, March 13th at 5:30pm PST to 7:00pm PST
    Antica
    Follow the competition on facebook or twitter. Stay tuned next week as I bring back delicious pictures and coverage of competition!

    Media Judges
    Dana Cowin of Food & Wine Magazine
    Sophie Gayot of Gayot.com
    Mitchell Davis of The James Beard Foundation
    Bonnie Stern of The National Post
    Chef Judges
    Michel Richard of Michel Richard Citronelle
    Chef Rick Moonen of RM Seafood
    Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia
    Jean Joho of Everest
    Gary Danko of Restaurant Gary Danko
    Brooke McDougall of By Mark
    Bob Hurley of Hurley's
    Opus One

    Opus One 

    If you're interested in last year's competition (plus our other Napa Valley excursions), explore the posts below! (You can click on the pictures too, which take you to the same posts!)

    Also, it's still not to late to enter the Giveaway going on right now! Ends Sunday, March 13!

    • Welcome Reception (Mar 11, 2010)
    • Mystery Basket (March 11, 2010)
    • Signature Dish Competition (March 12, 2010)
    • Del Dotto Caves / Winery (March 15, 2010)
    • Antica Vineyards (March 15, 2010)
    • Bouchon Bakery (March 16, 2010)
    • Our own Excursion: Vineyards (Robert Mondavi and Opus One) (March 17, 2010)
    • Redd (March 18, 2010)
    • French Laundry (March 19, 2010
    Welcome
    Mystery Basket
    Signature Dish
    Del Dotto Caves
    Antica
    Bouchon
    Dining At Redd
    French Laundry
    Opus One
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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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