Palm Springs Life / Desert Guide / May 2010 / Five top chefs win awards at The Perfect Date Chef Challenge

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Five top chefs win awards at The Perfect Date Chef Challenge

The 10th Annual Date Chef Competition was held in the Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on April 11. This anniversary event featured the multiple award winners from the past nine competitions who were already well versed in the use of dates in their recipes and had to outdo their own creations, and so they did. In an open, timed challenge in the resort’s banquet kitchen, seven judges in the culinary field sampled the appetizers, entrées, and desserts presented by the chef’s in the morning before the gala reception when the public had their chance to indulge.

Best of Show and a $2,000 check went to Jerome Diop, pastry chef at Andalusia Country Club in La Quinta for his intricate Coachella Date Chocolate Trio Chef Diop has been a finalist almost every year and won First Place Dessert in 2006 and 2007.

First Place Appetizer ($1,000) and People’s Choice $750) winner was Eric Wadlund executive chef/director of operations at Spencer’s Restaurant in Palm Springs. Wadlund’s Scallops with Date Tapioca with a Date Reduction won favor with the professional judges and the most votes from the 400 attendees. Wadlund won First Place Appetizer in 2003, 2004, and 2006 and was Chef Spokesman in 2005.

First Place Entrée winner ($1,000) was Leanne Kamekona, executive chef at Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa, who created Roasted Date BBQ Rib Eye, Sweet Potato Date and Shredded BBQ Beef Tamale. Kamekona won Best of Show in 2005, First Place Entrée in 2008, and People’s Choice in 2005, 2008, and 2009.

First Place Dessert ($1,000) went to Yasmin Martin, pastry chef at The Vintage Club in Indian Wells, offering her Halawi Date and Lemon Fruit Tart with Halawi Date Sorbet. Martin won First Place Dessert in 2004 and Best in Show in 2009.

New this year was a Nutrition Bonus of $500 for the entry that was the most nutritionally balanced. The winner was Greg Wiener, executive chef at The Boulders Resort and Spa in Phoenix for his Fire and Ice Salad. Wiener was a winner in 2006 and a multiple finalist while at Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort and Spa, Palm Desert and The Boulders Resort and Spa.

Presented by the California Date Administrative Committee, representing the growers and handlers in the Coachella Valley. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino was the Platinum Sponsor for the fifth consecutive year. Proceeds from the event go for scholarships to local students pursuing the hospitality and culinary arts professions through the California Women for Agriculture. Scholarship recipients are enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York; Johnson and Wales, Denver, Colorado; Culinary programs at The Art Institute at San Bernardino and San Diego campuses; College of the Desert, Palm Desert; and other qualified schools.

Visit online at www.DatesAreGreat.com for the winning recipes and date industry news.