Chef’s Roll kicked off their ultimate traveling culinary competition in St. Louis on March 23, 2015 at Central Table. Two of STL’s best chefs Katie Lee Collier of Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria and Wil Pelly, of In Good Company group, (Sanctuaria, Hendricks BBQ & Diablitos) put their skills to the test in front of a live audience, esteemed panel of judges, and celebrity host Chef Terry French of the Food Network. With a sold out crowd of 160 diners and a Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships for chance to win $100,000 on the line… the pressure was on.
The evening featured musical entertainment by Deal James and cocktails from the libation masterminds of Cocktails-Are-Go, Matt and Beth Sorrell. Among the many creative drinks served, Matt and Beth presented their signature Short Skirt and a Ginger Old Fashioned using Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Junipero Gin and Big O Ginger liqueur.
Chef’s Plate 2 was a “one dish to win it” battle – each competitor presenting one plate for the title. Chef Katie Lee Collier prepared Ravioli Doppio, handmade & stamped with parsley. One side was filled with braised beef the other with parsley root purée. She made ricotta cheese from scratch with lemon zest smear, pistachio & parsley pesto, black trumpet fungi sotto olio, and a red wine reduction & brown butter sauce.
Chef Wil Pelly prepared a pan-seared and sous-vide beef clod (tres major) with Japanese sweet potato and ginger puree, peppadew pepper shallot sea beans, sherry vinegar sugar cane syrup, and brown butter powder, lotus root chip, and finger lime caviar for garnish.
The winner was chosen by both the diners’ votes and weighted judges’ votes. After the ballots were collected and scores were tallied, Chef Wil Pelly was announced winner of Chef’s Plate 2: St. Louis taking home the Chef’s Plate crystal trophy and an automatic entry to the World Food Championships where he will compete in Kissimmee, Florida for $100,000.
Other participating chefs were Marc Rollins of Hendricks BBQ and Christina Fitzgerald, sous chefs to Chef Wil Pelly and the sous chefs to Chef Katie Lee Collier.
Chef’s Roll rounded out the night with dessert sponsored by Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream. Thank you to Chefs Wil Pelly and Katie Lee Collier for delivering a stellar meal and representing the culinary talent in St. Louis, Missouri.
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Thank you to our sponsors for Chef’s Plate 2 St. Louis:
