This past weekend the second annual All-Star Chef Classic took place at LA Live. On Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the Grill & Chill presented by DCS and Stella Artois. The event deck at LA Live was transformed into a food carnival. As you entered the event you were handed a ticket booklet. Each ticket within the booklet represented a chef and their dish. Throughout the venue there were cooking stations that corresponded to each ticket and whenever you were ready to have the next food experience you would tear the ticket, place it in the appropriate bucket, and receive a plate.
Stella Artois, one of the presenting sponsors, was on hand in a very big way. Stella was flowing from numerous locations and they also had a station where they paired their signature beers with different types of cheeses. Mercedes-Benz had an enter to win as well as a very popular apron customization activation.
Something that was a really cool addition to this year’s event was the #FOODIECAM. The #FOODIECAM was an area where you could capture the perfect picture of your food. It had lighting and everything. No more struggling to find the perfect angle, #FOODIECAM did all the work for you. Just place your plate down and snap away!
Once again I was very much pleased with this event. Last year I left looking forward to this year, and this year I am leaving looking forward to next year. It is a fun atmosphere where you can eat, drink, dance and mingle. What more could one ask for?
I definitely suggest that you add the All-Star Chef Classic to your to-do list! Check out www.allstarchefclassic.com for more information.
Below are some of my favorite Grill & Chill dishes (in no particular order):
Colorado True Wagyu Tri Tip
The wagyu was grilled with shiitake, miso aioli, fermented black bean duxelles and crispy rice. It was cooked to perfection!
This dish was prepared by Chef Jennifer Jasinski of Rioja in Denver, CO
Pineapple Coconut Meringue Torte
The pineapple was grilled and placed on top of some pastry cream and sandwiched between coconut infused french meringue. So many different textures and I loved every bite of it!
This dish was prepared by Chef Johnny Iuzzini of Sugar Filled Inc. in New York, NY
Grilled Lamb Breast with charred cucumber and fregola.
Two words, lamb and pasta! 🙂
This dish was prepared by Chef Zach Pollack of Alimento in Los Angeles, CA
Chocolate Coconut Ambrosia
I have a serious sweet tooth so this dish hit the spot. I’m not sure what I enjoyed most, the chocolate, the toasted marshmallow, or the cotton candy topping!
This dish was prepared by Chef Sherry Yard of Helms Bakery in Culver City, CA
Paella Mixta with Chorizo
This was my first time having both paella and chorizo. When I saw it was one of the Grill & Chill dishes I decided that it was the time for me to put aside my inhibitions and try something different. I wasn’t disappointed!
This dish was prepared by Chef Jamie Bissonnette of Toro in Boston, MA
Lemon Meringue Pie
What I liked most about this was that it was light. Sometimes dessert can be so heavy, but that wasn’t the case with this at all. It was pie but not, the lemon meringue was in ice cream form. It was a twist from the norm, I could have easily had about 10 more of these!
This dish was prepared by Chef Sam Mason of Oddfellows Ice Cream Co. in Brooklyn, NY
Smoked Tuna and White Chocolate Potato Soufflé
I’m normally not a fan of tuna but this dish has made me a believer. The tuna melted in my mouth. The saltiness of the fish mixed with the hint of sweetness from the white chocolate potato soufflé was the perfect combination!
This dish was prepared by Chef Ludo Lefebvre of Trois Mec in Los Angeles, CA
To learn more about All-star Chef Classic, visit their website.
More photos…
Photos: Simone Southwell & All-Star Chef Classic/Capra Photography