Tiny Urban Kitchen Test: 9th Annual S. Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef's Competition Nationals

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!

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

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!