Mike Isabella serves judges Ted Allen and Eric Ripert
Michael Mina emerged victorious Wednesday night in front of a sold-out crowd, besting two time champ Barton Seaver in the final battle.
The on-stage action was intense, with some of the area’s hottest chefs competing, including two current Top Chef contestants (Mike Isabella and Bryan Voltaggio), this year’s WCR Golden Whisk winner (Tracy O’Grady), Esquire Magazine’s Chef of the Year (Barton Seaver), and the nationally renown Michael Mina.
The real showstopper though may have been the surprise battle between former Top Chef finalist Carla Hall and Hell’s Kitchen winner Rock Harper, with Anthony Bourdain and Jose Andres serving as sous chefs. The crowd’s excitement was palpable and in fact the contest was decided by an applause-o-meter. The crowd favored Hall and Bourdain’s pairing of foie gras with the fresh local pears that served as secret ingredient.
Jose Andres and Anthony Bourdain appeal to the crowd during their surprise battle, serving as sous chefs to Chef Rock and Carla Hall, respectively.
Over 60 restaurants served signature dishes to the crowd, ranging from braised octopus (Zaytinya) to tandoori chicken sliders (Co Co. Sala).
The event was a spectacular success and raised a record amount of funds to support our mission to combat hunger and create opportunity.
Many thanks to our sponsors, battling chefs, celebrity guests, partner restaurants, and to our many friends in attendance, who all make our work possible!
