CLEVELAND — Leading chefs from across the country will soon compete in the ultimate blending contest—the 2014 Vitamix Challenge—during the 9th annual StarChefs.com International Chefs Congress in New York City. On October 27, six contestants will contribute their own ingredients to create a signature dish using a Vitamix blender in unusual and innovative ways.
In an attempt to win a full professional kitchen package from Vitamix and the coveted title of 2014 Vitamix Challenge Champion, contenders will have one hour to prepare and present a single dish that showcases their originality, creativity and blending techniques to judges.
In hopes of participating in the 2014 Vitamix challenge, hundreds of chefs submitted original Vitamix recipes. Judges will award points based on unique Vitamix application, taste and overall dish presentation. This year’s judges include: Chef Alex Guarnaschelli of Butter, Chef Norman Van Aken of NORMAN’S, Chef Evan Hennessey of Stages at One Washington and Vitamix Chef and Recipe Development Manager Beverly Shaffer.
The six chefs chosen to compete this year include:
- Robert Sisca –Chef, Bistro Du Midi, Boston, MA
- Melinda Dorn –Pastry Chef, L’Etoile, Madison, WI
- Marcos Fernandez –Chef, Lakeland Yacht & Country Club, Lakeland, FL
- Scott Drewno – Chef, The Source by Wolfgang Puck, Washington, D.C.
- Matt Bolus –Chef, The 404 Kitchen, Nashville, TN
- Courtney Weyl –Pastry Chef, wd~50, New York, NY
“Vitamix is proud to be the exclusive sponsor of this one-of-a-kind blending competition. The challenge provides us with unique insights into how top chefs use our products every day,” said Lisa Klein, vice president of Commercial Sales, Vitamix. “The challenge allows us to honor individuals who are making their mark in the culinary world and to inspire these chefs to innovate now— and long after the competition ends.”
One grand prize winner will receive the ultimate Vitamix package which includes a Vita-Prep® 3, Vitamix XL®, The Quiet One® and a $500 American Express Gift Card. All six finalists will receive a $500 certificate for travel to New York City, a three-day Industry Pass to attend the StarChefs.com International Chefs Congress and a Vitamix travel bag.
Visit http://www.starchefs.com/cook/icc-sponsor/vitamix/vitamix-challenge/2014 to learn more about the support Vitamix provided for StarChefs.com, including partnership information, product information, chef recommendations and testimonials, and recipes using Vitamix equipment.