Nation's Top Asian Chefs Finale In Culinary Battles At Caesars Palace
The Culinary Battles quest to find the nation’s top Asian chef is about to reach its peak. The final four contestants are heading to the grand finale at Caesars Palace Las Vegas on April 26th at 2 p.m.
Along with naming the Supreme Asian Chef, this ultimate showdown will put to rest the ongoing East Coast vs West Coast culinary rivalry.
Culinary Battles was created in partnership with Caesars Entertainment to raise awareness of Asian culture and give back to the community through an innovative recognition program. Culinary Battles® seeks chefs that demonstrate a unique approach to traditional Asian dishes and most importantly, capture the richness and diversity of Asian culture and cuisine.
On the West Coast, the two finalist were awarded to chefs Chris Oh and Perry Cheung. A seasoned competitor, Chef Chris previously won the Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race and Cutthroat Kitchen as well as Esquire Network’s Knife Fight. He is the founder and chef of Seoul Sausage, a popular Korean food truck concept in Los Angeles. Finalist, Perry Cheung is the owner and chef of the acclaimed Vietnamese restaurant Phorage. Adding fuel to the fire, these two finalists are not only Culinary Battles® rivals but also friends from the Los Angeles area.
Representing the East Coast, kitchen masters Jay Cho and Dave Park took home top honors at the Caesars Atlantic City semifinal round. Chef Jay has enjoyed previous success as owner and operator of a food truck in Vancouver, Canada and is currently pursuing a degree from the renowned Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Channeling his past training experiences under distinguished chefs Takashi Yagihashi and Grant Achatz, Chef Dave will be opening his first restaurant “hanbun†in Chicago next spring.
“Jay and Dave blew the judges away with their superior cooking skills,†said Culinary Battles judge and Masterchef Joe Poon. “Their knowledge of different culinary presentations and flavors allowed them to create simple yet unique dishes that showcased the variety of Asian cuisine.â€
Charged with identifying the newest Supreme Asian Chef and judging the Culinary Battles finale is a panel of well-respected industry professionals which includes: Serious Eats contributor Damon Gambuto, Hell’s Kitchen contestant Barbie Marshall, Masterchef and author Joseph Poon, Top Chef: New Orleans finalist Shirley Cheung and Caesars Palace Executive Chef Sean O’Connell. Hosting the culmination of the event series will be TV personality and author Diane Henderiks.
“Caesars Palace is honored to host the 2014 Culinary Battles finale,†says Caesars Palace President Gary Selesner. “Our nation’s palate is rapidly incorporating the tastes and flavors of Asian cuisine in so many ways. What better place to spotlight this cultural trend than at the country’s mecca of entertainment, Las Vegas.â€
Culinary Battles has been proud to receive the support of TY KU Sake & Spirits, Happy Chef, ICN, Ken Hom Ethnic Cookware, SB Groupe, Asian in NY and Whole Foods Market, Pasadena-Arroyo Parkway.
Which coast do you represent and who will you be rooting for at the adrenaline-pumping finale, East Coast or West Coast? Food fans can cheer on their favorite competing chefs or shout out the unsung culinary heroes of their city by tagging their tweets, check-ins, and photos with #culinarybattles. Share your enthusiasm by following Culinary Battles on Twitter (@CulinaryBattles).
To be a member of the live audience, visitors are encouraged to RSVP on the Culinary Battles webpage, www.culinarybattles.com. Tickets are free and open to the public, but space is limited.
For more information on Culinary Battles visit www.culinarybattles.com.
Bill Cody is an entertainment, technology and luxury travel reporter in Las Vegas. He reports on celebrities, events, tech, food, Las Vegas and luxury travel.