The 2017 Chef Throwdown — an annual culinary competition, festival and fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation — is will take place this Friday, September 22nd from 6:00 pm to 11:30 pm at the Hotel del Coronado. In addition to the “People’s Choice” Award a Culinary Council of celebrity top chefs and food critics (including me) will award the Chef Flor Franco Award for Culinary Excellence.
The Culinary Council this year will consist of:
CHEF THROWDOWN | 2017
CULINARY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Michael Gardiner
Fernando Gaxiola
Tommy Gomes
Bernard Guillas
James Montejano
Javier Plascencia
Harold Rapoza
Armando Rodiel
David Spatafore
Sam “The-Cooking-Guy” Zein
Amongst the participating Chefs and Restaurants in the Chef’s Throwdown are:
CHEF & RESTAURANTS
Tommy Fraioli,10 Barrel Brewing
Marc Osier, 1500 Ocean
Luis Moreno Gil, Andares de la Baja
Geordie Moulios, Big City Chef’s
Jorge Gonzalez, Calypso Cafe
José Plascencia, Casa Plascencia
Jose Sparza, Cien Anos
AG Warfield, Common Theory
Ingrid Shelton, Cusp Dining & Drinks
Marco Marin Arjona, El Cielo Winery-restaurant “Latitude 32”
Christine Rivera, Galaxy Taco
Nick Villamil, Hard Rock Hotel
Keoni Simmons, Hollywood Casino
Spencer Hunter, Hunters Home Kitchen
Alberto Cansino Gomez, Hotel Calafia
Alex Emery, La Valencia
Mario Medina, Main Course Restaurant
Michael Poompan, Marriott Hotel Coronado
David Meade, Nobu
Mario Cassineri, Officine Buona Forchetta
Ami Cisneros, Pacific Standard
Marcus Twilegar, Parq
Indo Reyes, Posh Nosh
Jeff Roberto, Sushi on a Roll
Andrew Reyes, Tidal Paradise Point
Filipe Raul, Vinedos Malagon
The hosts for the festivities are Food Network stars Melissa d’Arabian and Troy Johnson.
It’s an unforgettable evening of epicurean splendor showcasing the talents of many of San Diego and Baja’s best chefs. And it is all to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, something that has been meaningful to me since I was a child and my best friend in elementary school had (and still has) the disease. It’s a good cause and a good time.
See you there.