On June 13th, 2016 Chefs Plate, the ultimate traveling cooking competition, was all about grass fed Aussie Beef and the finest of Belgian chocolate. The latest exhilarating installment, sponsored by Aussie Beef & Lamb, Callebaut Belgian Chocolate, US Foods and Melissas Produce, took place at the colorful Hedley & Bennett headquarters in Los Angeles, California.Chef Jason Fullilove competed against Chef Claudette Wilkins in front of a panel of esteemed judges, including Michelin-starred Chefs Timothy Hollingsworth and Luigi Fineo, Chef Anthony Jacquet, Chef Alicia Boada and Chef and World Food Champion Ricardo Heredia. In honor of the epic showdown a whos who of noted Angeleno chefs and culinary movers and shakers descended on Hedley & Bennetts hip warehouse space for an evening of great food, drinks, music and more.During cocktail hour guests mingled and enjoyed craft Pilsners and IPA beers courtesy of Angel City Brewery, a signature Sloe Gin Fizz cocktail by Spirit Works Distillery, Chardonnay from Kieu Hoang Winery of Napa Valley served in Chef & Sommelier stemware and Italian Mineral Water from Santa Vittoria. Renowned photographer Josue Castro took complimentary chef portraits before guests made their way outside to watch the chefs square off.Sat around communal tables under twinkling market lights, guests watched and tasted as the chefs each created an True Aussie Grass Fed Beef inspired appetizer and entre using Rox Outdoor Santa Maria Grills and Evo Tabletop Grills. The chefs finished the feast off with a Callebaut Belgian Chocolate-based dessert. The meal was paired with a Cabernet Sauvignon courtesy of Kieu Hoang Winery in Napa Valley and plated on sustainable VerTerra dinnerware.Chef Jason Fullilove won the Peoples Choice Award scoring a handmade Nora knife, while Chef Claudette Wilkins scooped the Judges Award, taking home the Chefs Roll trophy, a handmade Paprika Knife by Australian knifemaker Ferenc Petho and a Golden Ticket to compete in the World Food Championships for a chance to win $100,000.
