Utah Chef To Compete in Great American Seafood Cook-Off
Three of Utah’s top chefs put their talents to the test as they competed for a chance to represent the state in a national seafood cooking competition, according to a press release from Utah State’s Department of Heritage and Arts. The winner was Briar Handley, formerly of Talisker on Main in Park City, and now chef at Handle in Park City.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal extended an invitation to Utah Governor Gary Herbert to send a top Utah chef to New Orleans to compete in the 11th annual Great American Seafood Cook-off. Governor Herbert invited chefs Phelix Gardner of Pago (Salt Lake City), Clement Gelas of Talisker on Main (Park City), and Handley to prepare a dish for a panel of local culinary experts and public figures to determine which chef would have the opportunity to represent Utah in the national competition.
Rules for the Great American Seafood Cook-off require all seafood must come from a sustainable, local source from the state each chef is representing. So, Utah trout was the chosen fish for the three chefs. (I guess the other choice would have been brine shrimp.)
The judging took place at the Harmons City Creek store, with the chefs using locally-produced trout, produce, butter, and other Utah’s Own ingredients.
Judges were Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox, KUTV anchor Mary Nickles, Salt Lake Magazine dining and executive editor Mary Brown Malouf, food and travel blogger Vanessa Chang, and Café Madrid owner Gabrielle McAfee. They chose to send Handley to the New Orleans competition. In addition to taking an assistant chef, Handley must also take with him all the Utah ingredients to make his dish. The national competition, on Aug. 2, will be broadcast on PBS.
Delta Airlines will provide air travel for Handley, and the Park City Chamber of Commerce, Utah’s Own brand, and the Utah Restaurant Association are donating financial support to cover expenses. The Utah Department of Heritage & Arts for coordinated the event.
For more information on the Great American Seafood Cook-off, please visit: http://www.