Contact:

Jessica Gago
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
858-578-9463
gago@fastforwardevents.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHEF ROBERT RUIZ OF HARNEY SUSHI WINS THE TITLE OF “CHEF OF THE FEST” AT THE 2010 SAN DIEGO BAY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

The American Culinary Federation and Southern California’s Largest Wine & Food Festival Award $50,000 in Cash & Prizes to the Festival’s Top Chefs

SAN DIEGO, CA, (Nov. 30, 2010) – The American Culinary Federation and the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival announced winners of the 2010 “Chef of the Fest” Competition with Chef Robert Ruiz of Harney Sushi taking top honors for the second year in a row.  A mélange of established culinary experts and up-in-coming chefs in the San Diego culinary scene competed against one another in a battle of gastronomic proportions at the food and wine festival’s Grand Tasting Event on November 20, where each chef prepared a unique dish in the hopes of winning the coveted title of “Chef of the Fest” and $50,000 in cash and prizes, said Michelle Metter, the Festival’s co-producer.

“Each year’s competition brings new culinary surprises, putting the spotlight on innovative dishes and trends in the industry from San Diego’s best chefs,” added Metter.  “What makes this competition truly remarkable is the amount of originality, thoughtfulness and hard work that the chefs put into creating each signature dish.  We congratulate all of the winners and thank them for bringing such culinary brilliance to this year’s Festival.”

The American Culinary Federation (ACF), a professional organization for chefs and cooks, judges the competition.  San Diego Chapter President, Chef William Ramsey, headed the judging process with his expert team of ACF members, in addition to celebrity guest judges.

“This year’s competition saw an abundance of culinary talent, making it difficult for the panel of judges to narrow down the competition from the top 20 to the top 10, and the scores definitely reflected that.  In many cases, the scoring was very close.  In the end, it came down to taste, which weighed heavily on the final outcome,” said Chef William Ramsey. 

The competition is organized by a tiered judging process, selectively narrowing the group of competitors down to 10 finalists and five category winners.  The 2010 “Chef of the Fest” Competition results are as follows:

1st Place Grand Prize Winner of the 2010 “Chef of the Fest” Competition: Chef Robert Ruiz of Harney Sushi took home first place, top honors for his "Cunning Lengua" –Sapporro Style Braised Newport Beef Tongue with Fallbrook Fuyu Persimmon and Roasted Oregon Coast Matsutake, garnished with Chili Daikon-Shoga, 3D demi-glauce and Micro Shiso

2nd Place Winner: Chef Paul McCabe of Kitchen 1540 for his Turducken Nuggets, Potato Air, Cranberry Gelèe, Foie Gras Gravy

3rd Place Winner: Chef Daniel Barron of Blue Point Coastal Cuisine for his “Surf and Turf” – Wagyu Beef with Uni Emulsion and Lobster Tater Tot

4th Place Winner: Chef Adam Bussell of Vela for his Seared Diver Scallop, Citrus & Fennel Braised Pork Belly, Kumquat Marmalade

5th Place Winner: Chef John Garcia of W Restaurant for his Sea Bass Ceviche

Finalists:

• Chef Sean Langlais of the Oceanaire for his King Crab Battera with Dashi Soy Reduction, Seaweed Salad with Miso Dressing and Caviar
• Chef Jorge Velarde of Acqua Al 2 for his Capesante Porro e Pancetta
• Chef Eric Sarkisian of Tom Hamms for his Caribbean Shrimp with Watermelon Rind Chutney
• Chef Donna Cellere of Sweet Cheeks Bakery for her Fresh Banana Cake topped with Belgian Ganache & Peanut Butter Mousse
• Chef Rich Sweeney of R Gang Eatery for his Duck Confit, Spinach, and Pear Salad with Dijon-Rosemary Vinaigrette, topped with a Duck Fat Fried Tater Tot “Crouton”

 

Raw Category Winner: Chefs Sam & Jag Kambo of Royal India Cuisine for their Royal Bengan Bhartha

Meat Category Winner: Chef Daniel Barron of Blue Point Coastal Cuisine

Poultry Category Winner: Chef Paul McCabe of KITCHEN 1540

Fish Category Winner: Chef John Garcia of W Restaurant

Dessert Category Winner: Chef Donna Cellere of Sweet Cheeks Bakery

For the second year in a row, Harney Sushi took home the title of “Chef of the Fest,” with Chef Robert Ruiz leading the victory after Chef Anthony Sinsay’s 2009 first place win.

“A lot of hard work and forethought went into this year’s win,” said Chef Robert Ruiz.  “I had the Festival on my mind when we won last year.  I knew I’d be up next for the title and I had to take it to another level.  Chef Sinsay’s vegetarian dish won last year, so slow braised beef seemed irresistible.”

The top 10 finalists and category winners were chosen by a panel of judges who graded each restaurant with a point system including scores for presentation, flavor, innovation, quality of product, and preparation in the allotted time. 

“Chef of the Fest” Judges included:

• Chef William Ramsey, CEC, CCA – Executive Chef, Casino Pauma/President of the ACF, San Diego Chapter
• Chef Gary Thompson, CEC – Executive Chef, Viejas Casino
• Chef Katherine Emmenegger – Executive Chef, Great News Cooking School
• Chef Urs Emmenegger, CEC, AAC – Executive Chef/Chairman of the Board ACF, San Diego Chapter
• Chef Ferdinand Metz, CMC, WGMC, AAC, HOF – Executive Dean, Le Cordon Bleu
• Chef Dustin Homen, CEC – Executive Sous Chef, Barona Resort & Casino
• Chef Kurt Wafler, CEC – Chef Instructor, San Diego Culinary Institute
• Chef Tina Luu – Chef Instructor, The Art Institute of California, San Diego   
• Chef Ed Glebus, CEC – Executive Chef, Qualcomm The Art Institute of California, San Diego
• Chef John Miller, CEC – Assistant Academic Director Culinary Arts, The Art Institute of California, San Diego
• Chef Laird Livingston, CEC, CCE, AAC – Academic Director Culinary Arts The Art Institute of California, San Diego   
• Chef Rudy Kloeble, CEC – Chef Instructor, The Art Institute of California, San Diego   
• Chef Christopher Brill, CEC – Chef Instructor, San Diego Culinary Institute
• Chef Chad Tiboni, CEC – Chef De Cuisine, Qualcomm
• Chef Michael Zonfrilli, CEC – Chef Instructor, The Art Institute of California, San Diego
• Sophie Gayot – Gayot.com
• Chef Thierry Rautureau – Chef/Owner of Rover's  

• Chef Suzette Gresham – Chef/Owner of Acquerello
• Chef Peter DeCarl – Executive Chef, ARAMARK – Stadiums, Entertainment & Conventions, Phoenix Coyotes/Jobing.com Arena
• Candice Woo – San Diego Magazine Dining Critic

 

The “Chef of the Fest” winners were awarded a combined $50,000 worth in cash and prizes.  During the Celebrity Chef Luncheon, held at Roy’s Restaurant on Sunday, November 21, Chef Robert Ruiz took home a prize package that included the following:

• $2,000 Cash
• Invitation back as a headliner at the 2011 San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival with his own cooking class and featured as “2010 ‘Chef of the Fest’ Competition Winner”
• Las Vegas vacation package with round trip airfare for two on Southwest Airlines, a stay at the Encore Las Vegas, dinner for two at Society Café Encore, and two tickets to Le Reve
• Bridgestone Set of Tires
• Inclusion in the Chef Works Catalog
• Partagas Limited Reserve Decades Travel Humidor and Cigar Collection
• February Issue: Feature in Cooking Light Magazine, including headshot and bio
• February Issue: Full-page Buzz Advertorial featuring both chef and restaurant in San Diego Magazine
• Spring Issue: Feature in Chef’s Spotlight in Dining Out Magazine
• Winter Issue: Half-page Feature in Culinary Trends Magazine, highlighting the winning dish and recipe
• “Chef of the Fest” Online Profile on NBC San Diego.com
• Gayot.com “Chef of the Fest” Feature Online
• Riedel Decanter and Riedel Vinum XL Tasting Set donated by Debbie Douglas Designs
• Tommy Bahama Rum Gift Basket donated by Sidney Frank
• Coffee Ambassador Peet’s Coffee Gift Basket
• Sentry Wine Vault free wine storage for one year, up to 20 cases
• Dacor 30” Stainless Steel Gas Range, donated by Fixtures Living

 

The second place winner received $1000 cash, a feature in the Winter Issue of Culinary Trends Magazine, round-trip airfare for two on Southwest Airlines, a Riedel Decanter and Riedel Vinum XL Tasting Set, a “Chef of the Fest” Online Profile on NBC San Diego.com, an under-the-counter Sub Zero Wine Unit from Fixtures Living, a Tommy Bahama Rum Gift Basket from Sidney Frank, a Partagas Cigar Collection, and one year of free wine storage at Sentry Wine Vault.

Additional prizes were awarded for third through 10th place.

The 8th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival will take place on November 16 – 20, 2011.  For more information, visit www.worldofwineevents.com.

 

SAN DIEGO BAY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

The 8th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is an international showcase of the world's premier wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods.  Held November 16-20, 2011, the event benefits the American Institute of Wine & Food culinary arts scholarship program.  Over 800 wines, 40 of San Diego’s top fine dining restaurants, gourmet food companies and exhibitors participated in the 2010 Festival.  For more information visit www.worldofwineevents.com. Produced by World of Wine Events and Fast Forward Event Productions.  For more information call 858-578-9463.

The 2010 San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival was sponsored by Cooking Light Magazine, Bridgestone, Night & Day Entertainment Guide, Wine Spectator, San Diego Tourism & Marketing District, San Diego Magazine, Union Bank, Viejas, COX, Acqua Panna, S. Pellegrino, Fixtures Living, Sé Hotel San Diego, Leffe, Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, Hornblower Cruises & Events, American Culinary Federation, Southwest Airlines, Marriott San Diego Hotel & Marina, Unified Port of San Diego, the Big Bay, Sadie Rose Baking Co., Loire Valley Wines, NBC San Diego.com, Dining Out Magazine, Imbibe Magazine, Vine Times, Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, Debbie Douglas Designs, J. Soul Productions, Eden, Just My Ticket, Fleming’s, San Diego Wine & Culinary Center, Alanas Marketing & Creative, Amtrak California, TTS, Yelp, Sip Smoke Savor, QRW, POM Wonderful, Sidney Frank Importing Co., Inc., Brandt Beef, VinVillage, Chesapeake Fish Co., Inc., Coffee Ambassador, KPBS, Wine and Jazz.com, The Ultimate Skybox, Sentry Wine Vault, ChefWorks, San Diego Uptown News, Gayot.com, Discover SD, Partagas, Cotes de Provence, Pacific Magazine, San Diego.com, Waste Management.