Culinary Competitions at the California Restaurant Show!

August 27. 2024 // 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

This year's Rapid Fire Challenge is brought to you by Sysco and the theme is Sizzling Skirt Steak! 

We are thrilled to invite you to showcase your culinary skills at this exciting event that celebrates the art of preparing a great steak and veggie dish, below are the competition details:

• Chefs will be provided a Double R Ranch Outside Skirt Steak from Newport Meta and Seafood, a Sysco Company

• Chefs will also be asked to use two of the following three ingredients provided by FreshPoint, a Sysco Company:

  • Organic Spanish Romano beans

  • Organic Corn

  • Jimmy Nardello peppers

• There will be 8 chefs participating in the Rapid Fire Competition with 2 competing at the same time on the Culinary Innovation Theater stage.

• The stage will be set with:

  • Two cooktops with Single Burners

  • Selection of pans

  • Convection Oven

  • Cooking utensils

  • Serving Dishes

  • Side table for preparation

• Chefs will have access to a working kitchen behind the stage starting at 12:00pm to prepare your dish

• Each group of contestants will be given 15 minutes on stage to cook, present their dishes and provide a sampling to the judges

• There will be 10 minutes between each group to clean up and set up. 

• The Culinary Innovation Theater emcee, Deanna "Bomb Chica" Colón, will be asking questions about the dish you are preparing.

• Each chef will prepare a sample of their dish for three judges.

• Contestants will be judged on

  • Presentation of Chef’s Background

  • Presentation of Dish

  • Flavor Profile

  • Mix of Ingredients

• The winner will be announced by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, August 27 

This event will bring together talented chefs from across California to compete for the title of the best sizzling skirt steak chef in California.  The winner will be crowned the California Restaurant Show Rapid Fire Champion, receive $1,000, bragging rights and gain exposure.

The emcee for Center Stage is Deanna Colón, Chef and Food Personality most well known for “Dishing with Deanna.” 

If Rachael Ray, Kelly Clarkson, and Nicole Byer had a baby, you'd have Deanna "Bomb Chica" Colón!

Her talents on stage, screen, and in the kitchen have been merged into one delicious treat for her audience!  

Her parents, Nicola and Mary, raised her in an Italian restaurant north of Boston.  Although she has no formal culinary training, she often refers to herself as a graduate of the "Culinary School of Hard Nicks". 

Deanna brings a thrilling personality to the stage and loves meeting our contestants.

Apply now for your chance to join the show!

Congratulations to the 2023 Winner:  TUMARA ARNETT,
Joselito’s Tujunga Mexican Food