Chef Duel!

Folktale Winery
Carmel, CA

My son Adam, who is a pastry sous chef at 7th & Dolores steakhouse

was recently part of a Chef Duel held at Folktale Winery.

I accompanied Adam's father in law over to watch the goings on.

The duel paired two chefs preparing a savory bite,

then the two pastry chefs with a sweet bite.

The event was held in the winery's barrel room,

which was a perfect place!

Each pair of chefs were given a list of items 

that had to be in their dish.

The savory bites were prepared with octopus,

basil, ube (purple yam), stinging nettles(!),

and a few other items I can't remember.

3 judges then tasted and judged based on level of difficulty,

taste, and presentation.

The judges vote counted for 50% of the total vote.

Adam's boss, Chef Todd Fisher announced each chef & dish..

All of the crowd got a vote to put in a ballot box,

to vote for the best chef's dish.

This counted for the other 50% of the vote.

While things were going on,

Adam was at his station preparing his dish.

Adam's ingredients had to include the ube,

micro-basil, steel cut oats, and pomelo.

He created a brown sugar blondie, 

topped with a purple yam mousse and steel cut oat crisp,

sprinkled with olive oil infused pomelo crumble,

and micro basil garnish.

Oh my!

It was so good, I had a few :-)

Unfortunately Adam lost the judges vote,

but won the popular vote :-)

The tie-breaker was a quick game of corn hole.

Jessica, the other chef won soundly :-(

We had a great time, and Adam was thrilled to be included in this duel.

He'll be headed over to Pebble Beach next week for the

Pebble Beach Food & Wine event.

So proud :-)

Meanwhile at the park..

the poppies are beautiful!

We are happy with life, and Cooper!

Norma took this with her cute little camera,

much like a Polaroid.

The end :-)