Local Chefs Win Embassy Chef Challenge Awards

From Linda Roth Associates, Inc: A sold-out crowd enjoyed authentic dishes representing the native countries of 27 embassy chefs at the 9th annual Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge presented by TCMA (A Drew company). An additional six nations represented themselves at a new ‘Sips and Sweets’ pavilion, offering guests a glimpse into global beverage and snack cultures.

Chef Cynthia Verna of Haiti was selected as the People’s Choice Champion, chosen from votes cast by attendees. Her plate of shrimp, plantain chips and fine herbs aioli won a majority of votes cast via social media and paper ballots. Chef Moha Fedal of Morocco walked away the Judges’ Choice Champion for his Marrakech tangia made with lamb shoulder, preserved lemon, saffron, turmeric, garlic, aged butter and olive oil sealed in a clay jar. He was selected by a panel of esteemed judges consisting of:

• Allison Aubrey, NPR
• Valeria Barriga, Telemundo Washington D.C.
• Chef Xavier Deshayes, Ronald Reagan Building
• Chef Nelson Erazo, The Melrose Hotel
• Christina Fulton, Macy’s, Inc.
• Creig Greenidge, 2016 Judge’s Choice Champion (Barbados)
• Jessica Sidman, Washingtonian

Guests ate their way through an abundant array of foods and drinks prepared by the culinary teams representing Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Chile, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ghana, Greece, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritius, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan.

Events DC Vice President Erik Moses said of the participants, “We had the largest, most diverse group ever represented at the Embassy Chef Challenge this year. The chefs who take part in our friendly competition each year continue to impress me and Washington is ecstatic to have them as part of our community. I know guests last night were able to taste some of the finest foods in the world, and we look forward to continuing this great tradition in years to come.”

Media ready photos of the event are available here, courtesy of Ronald Reagan Building. For more information, or to speak with this year’s chef champions, contact Shayreen Lum at 202-888-3568.

Photo courtesy of Ronald Reagan Building