The Grand Tasting and Chef Smackdown
April 11, 2010
On April 11, the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation held its Grand Tasting event and its first ever, Wine Classic Chef Smackdown at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. This annual event features educational seminars and tastings led by wine experts, sommeliers, and vintners from across the country. More than 1250 guests attended, raising $10,000 for the Access College Foundation and other local educational charities.
The Chef Smackdown hosted by Iron Chef’s Kevin Brauch, featured six of the best local chefs competing for the top spot. The competitors were judged on taste, presentation, recipe creativity and degree of difficulty. The distinguished panel of judges included Chef Todd Jurich of Todd Jurich’s Bistro, Patrick Evans-Hylton, food and wine editor at Hampton Roads Magazine, Richard Ernsberger, editor of Virginia Living, Sam McGann, chef and owner of Vintage Tavern, River Stone Chophouse and The Blue Point, and Janie Jacobson, cookbook author and culinary instructor from Kitchen Barn.
And the overall winners were Team Chocolate Duo’s masterful chefs, Meredith Adams of Eurasia Café and Alvin Williams of Cobalt Grille, both of Virginia Beach.
“This year’s Chef Smackdown was an overwhelming success and a great addition to the Grand Tasting,” said Jennie Capps, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation. “In hosting this event, we were proud to partner with local businesses and restaurants to make contributions that will have a meaningful impact on the lives of those who strive for a higher education within the Hampton Roads community.”
Participating restaurants in this year’s event included Abbey Road Restaurant, Aqua Restaurant, Bardo Edibles & Elixirs, Cabot Creamery, Catch 31, Distinctive Gourmet, Eurasia Café, Gosport Tavern, Just Cupcakes, Lucky Oyster Seafood Grill, One Fish Two Fish, Passion Restaurant, River Stone Chophouse, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Salacia, Steinhilber’s Thalia Acres Inn, Still Worldly Eclectic Tapas, Surf Club Beach Grill, Terrapin Restaurant, The Blue Point Bar & Grill and Vintage Tavern.
Sponsors included Farm Fresh, Sinclair Communications, Gold Key /PHR Hotels and Resorts, Priority Auto Group, Meridian Group, Davis and Company, VBNightlife.com, Fiji Water and Birsch Industries.
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