Chef Aaron Allen of Coasterra Restaurant Crowned “Chef of The Fest”

The annual Chef of the Fest competition at the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival^® Grand Tasting brings top San Diego chefs head-to-head in a fierce culinary competition judged by the San Diego Chapter of American Culinary Federation (ACF) along with guest judges.

This year’s Chef of the Fest title went to Chef Aaron Allen of Coasterra for his dish, smoked beet and mushroom taco. San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival^® co-producer, Michelle Metter calls the competition, simply awesome.

“The Chef of the Fest competition continues to showcase a selection of the city’s diverse culinary scene and top tier creative talent,” continued Metter. “Acclaimed chefs awe both judges and attendees at the Grand Tasting. We are thrilled that 2019 marks the first year that an all vegetarian dish wins Chef of the Fest. We congratulate all of this year’s competitors on an exceptional showcase of San Diego’s flourishing culinary scene.”

This year, Chef’s De Cuisine, a chapter of the American Culinary Federation, organized the judging of the competition. Chefs de Cuisine President Board of Directors, Chef Don Williamson, was lead coordinator of the judging process. Five guest judges joined in responsibilities including:

1. Chef Suzette Gresham – Two-Starred Michelin Recipient and Executive Chef, Acquerello, San Francisco, CA
2. Chef Robert Phillips – Southern Regional Vice President, The American Culinary Federation, Los Angeles, CA
3. Chef Michel Malécot – Executive Chef and Owner, The French Gourmet, San Diego, CA
4. Chef Michael Schlow – Restaurateur, Schlow Restaurant Group
5. Chef Ricardo Santana – President, Chefs de Cuisine Association of San Diego, San Diego, CA

The 2019 Chef of the Fest Competition was judged using a blind-tasting format. Twenty-eight chefs were carefully narrowed down to first, second, and third place finalists and seven category winners using a graded point system. Participants were ranked based on cumulative scores considering the dish’s presentation, flavor, innovation, quality of product, and preparation in the allotted time.

Chef Claudia Sandoval of MasterChef Latino and the Chefs de Cuisine Board of Director’s President, Don Williamson, announced the top three finishers, category winners and the People’s Choice Award.

The 2019 Chef of the Fest Competition results are as follows:

Aaron Allen – Coasterra

First Place Grand Prize Winner

Vegetarian / Raw Category Winner

Smoked Beet and Mushroom Taco | Blue Corn Tortilla | Avocado Mousse | Pickled Cabbage | Peanut Macha Salsa

Todd Nash – The Blind Burro 

Second Place Winner

Poultry Category Winner

Duck Carnitas | Jalapeno-Cranberry Salsa | Avocado

Tim Eylens – Del’s Hideout

Third Place Winner

Meat Category Winner

Maker’s Mark Bourbon Infused Winner

Prime Brisket and Best Mac and Cheese | Maker’s Mark Bourbon-Infused

 Martin Mungula – Red O Taste of Mexico

Seafood Category Winner

Seafood Campechana | Shrimp | Squid | Tuna | Avocado | Serrano Tomato Broth

Joel Cammett + Tyler Shipton – BO-beau kitchen + garden

Dessert Winner

S’mores Never Grow Old | Flourless Chocolate Cake | Mesquite Graham Cracker | Smoked Sea Salt Marshmallow

This year’s wine and food festival also saw the return of the People’s Choice Award. In addition to being evaluated by the esteemed panel of judges, Chef of the Fest competitors were also subject to the critiques of Grand Tasting attendees, who had opportunity to vote for their favorite Chef of the Fest dish. Chef James Montejano of Huntress took the “People’s Choice Award” for his dish, Duck Three Ways, which included smoked duck breast, duck wonton and Asian vegetables with duck jus.