So what's this all about?
Top Local Chef is Pinellas County's top foodie event of the year! This year's event, The Art of Food, takes place 5-7:30 pm Sunday Oct 20 at the historic Manhattan Casino, 644 22nd Street South in St. Petersburg. The LocalShops1 event is produced in collaboration with Club Savor and helps raise money for Creative Clay, a local nonprofit. Event sponsors include Intensity Academy Gourmet Sauces.
Professional chefs are matched with a local artist; the chef will create a creative savory dish, and the artist will create a piece inspired by the chef! On event day, the chefs will each bring 250 samples of their new creations! Top Local Chef includes local celebrity judges (our panel will be announced shortly!) and of course, the popular People's Choice!
Chefs: Do you have what it takes to be the next Top Local Chef? Application is open to all professional chefs in Pinellas County (except past winners and those who competed in 2018!) We will be drawing one chef entered in each of the following categories: American (new and traditional), Asian, Barbecue, Caribbean, European, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican and "Other." In the event there are no qualifying entries in a particular category, that spot becomes a "Wild Card," and will be filled randomly by one of the other applicants. Those selected to compete will be asked to bring 250 samples of their new creation. (Keep reading the rest of this page for more details!)
Artists: The deadline to apply is JULY 26. Please fill out the quick form online to enter your name in a random drawing, in which we will select the participating artists. There is no fee to participate. If selected, your piece will be featured in a silent auction during Top Local Chef (starting bid of $100); artist will receive 75 percent of the sales price, and Creative Clay will receive the other 25 percent. Artists will also be featured on our website and heavily promoted on our social media pages, as well as at the event, of course! If we get applications from more than 10 artists interested, the participants will be chosen on a random basis.
Foodies: The event is open to the public, but tickets are limited to 120 reserved seating and 80 standing-room. Tickets are now on sale here. Admission includes samples from the competing chefs, plus special treats at the Hot Sauce Buffet sponsored by Intensity Academy Gourmet Sauces and from our Dessert Station with treats from Gateau OChocolat, JB's Sweet Addiction and Pop Goes the Waffle.
I'm not a chef, but would like to be involved.
Great! We have excellent marketing opportunities to showcase your business as an event vendor or sponsor. We are also looking for several event volunteers. Contact us for information.
I AM a chef, and everyone knows I'm the best one around. How do I get in??
Deadline to apply was midnight JULY 26. Sorry!
I made it as a competing chef! What happens next?
Congratulations!! Your main Top Local Chef contact will be Roger Curlin, co-founder of Club Savor. He will be contacting you soon to match you with a local brewery!
On competition day, Sunday Oct 20, you must arrive at 2 pm and be set up and ready to go by 4 pm. Doors open to the public at 5 pm and we typically have people waiting at the door!
What you'll need to bring:
• At least 250 samples of your new creation
• Plated dishes for the judges (presentation counts!)
• Serving containers, napkins and utensils
• 6- or 8-foot prep table
• 6- or 8-foot display/serving table provided by the Manhattan Casino
• Linens and decorations for your tables
• Warming dishes, if needed
• Promotional materials, of course!
What is the cost to participate?
Chefs do not pay to compete in the event. Paid opportunities are available for vendors and sponsors.
Can I check out the Manhattan Casino and the floor plan, so I can be best prepared?
Of course! Contact Ester Venouziou at ester@localshops1.com or Roger Curlin at roger@clubsavor.com
May I bring my entourage?
Chefs may bring up to three assistants to help plate and serve their dishes. Additional tickets may be purchased in advance individually, or packs of 10 at a discounted rate. For discounted packs email ester@localshops1.com. This event always sells out, and we don't expect tickets to be available at the door.
Are the dishes made in the chef's kitchen, and then transported to the site?
Yes, dishes should come ready for serving. There will be no cooking on site.
What size plate is used?
That's up to each chef, but the general guideline is that if you had the item on your menu, you would feel comfortable listing the sample-sized item for $5 or more.
Can I bring business cards and menus?
Of course! We want you to get a ton of exposure here. Feel free to bring promotional materials to hand out from your table and/or to leave at the guests' tables.
What else do I get?
Competing chefs will have the opportunity to meet some of the most prominent food bloggers, local media and the area's foodies. So be ready to impress! This is an excellent opportunity for not-yet-known chefs to get discovered and for the already-established ones to further reinforce their reputation as one of the best.
Every participating chef will be heavily featured in our event advertising and promotions, including through LocalShops1's website, social media pages, and e-newsletters, which reach tens of thousands of local residents. Winners will be featured in LocalShops1's post-event promotions and receive unlimited bragging rights.
What happens if it rains?
Top Local Chef takes place rain or shine! The event takes place indoors, so don't worry about the weather. Tickets are non-refundable.
Who are the judges?
We've got the top food writers in the Tampa Bay region. Details will be announced shortly.
How does the judging work?
There will be two winners, the People's Choice and Judges' Vote.
Judges will rank each dish on the following:
Tell me more about your non-profit partner.
Creative Clay is a local non-profit with the mission to help people with disabilities achieve full and inclusive lives through access to the arts by providing expressive, educational and vocational experiences. Creative Clay will receive 100 percent of the money collected for the popular vote, 75 percent of the art sales, and 25 percent of ticket sales and sponsorships.
Anything else I should know?
Top Local Chef is a production of LocalShops1 in partnership with Club Savor. The event benefits the non-profit Creative Clay. For vendor, sponsorship or ticket information email ester@localshops1.com.
Top Local Chef is Pinellas County's top foodie event of the year! This year's event, The Art of Food, takes place 5-7:30 pm Sunday Oct 20 at the historic Manhattan Casino, 644 22nd Street South in St. Petersburg. The LocalShops1 event is produced in collaboration with Club Savor and helps raise money for Creative Clay, a local nonprofit. Event sponsors include Intensity Academy Gourmet Sauces.
Professional chefs are matched with a local artist; the chef will create a creative savory dish, and the artist will create a piece inspired by the chef! On event day, the chefs will each bring 250 samples of their new creations! Top Local Chef includes local celebrity judges (our panel will be announced shortly!) and of course, the popular People's Choice!
Chefs: Do you have what it takes to be the next Top Local Chef? Application is open to all professional chefs in Pinellas County (except past winners and those who competed in 2018!) We will be drawing one chef entered in each of the following categories: American (new and traditional), Asian, Barbecue, Caribbean, European, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican and "Other." In the event there are no qualifying entries in a particular category, that spot becomes a "Wild Card," and will be filled randomly by one of the other applicants. Those selected to compete will be asked to bring 250 samples of their new creation. (Keep reading the rest of this page for more details!)
- Deadline to apply: midnight JULY 26. The finalists will be announced shortly after.
- How to apply: DEADLINE TO ENTER has passed. Sorry!
- Fee: There is no fee to enter or to participate
Artists: The deadline to apply is JULY 26. Please fill out the quick form online to enter your name in a random drawing, in which we will select the participating artists. There is no fee to participate. If selected, your piece will be featured in a silent auction during Top Local Chef (starting bid of $100); artist will receive 75 percent of the sales price, and Creative Clay will receive the other 25 percent. Artists will also be featured on our website and heavily promoted on our social media pages, as well as at the event, of course! If we get applications from more than 10 artists interested, the participants will be chosen on a random basis.
- Deadline to apply: midnight JULY 26. The finalists will be announced shortly after.
- How to apply: DEADLINE TO ENTER has passed. Sorry!
- Fee: There is no fee to enter or to participate
Foodies: The event is open to the public, but tickets are limited to 120 reserved seating and 80 standing-room. Tickets are now on sale here. Admission includes samples from the competing chefs, plus special treats at the Hot Sauce Buffet sponsored by Intensity Academy Gourmet Sauces and from our Dessert Station with treats from Gateau OChocolat, JB's Sweet Addiction and Pop Goes the Waffle.
I'm not a chef, but would like to be involved.
Great! We have excellent marketing opportunities to showcase your business as an event vendor or sponsor. We are also looking for several event volunteers. Contact us for information.
I AM a chef, and everyone knows I'm the best one around. How do I get in??
Deadline to apply was midnight JULY 26. Sorry!
I made it as a competing chef! What happens next?
Congratulations!! Your main Top Local Chef contact will be Roger Curlin, co-founder of Club Savor. He will be contacting you soon to match you with a local brewery!
On competition day, Sunday Oct 20, you must arrive at 2 pm and be set up and ready to go by 4 pm. Doors open to the public at 5 pm and we typically have people waiting at the door!
What you'll need to bring:
• At least 250 samples of your new creation
• Plated dishes for the judges (presentation counts!)
• Serving containers, napkins and utensils
• 6- or 8-foot prep table
• 6- or 8-foot display/serving table provided by the Manhattan Casino
• Linens and decorations for your tables
• Warming dishes, if needed
• Promotional materials, of course!
What is the cost to participate?
Chefs do not pay to compete in the event. Paid opportunities are available for vendors and sponsors.
Can I check out the Manhattan Casino and the floor plan, so I can be best prepared?
Of course! Contact Ester Venouziou at ester@localshops1.com or Roger Curlin at roger@clubsavor.com
May I bring my entourage?
Chefs may bring up to three assistants to help plate and serve their dishes. Additional tickets may be purchased in advance individually, or packs of 10 at a discounted rate. For discounted packs email ester@localshops1.com. This event always sells out, and we don't expect tickets to be available at the door.
Are the dishes made in the chef's kitchen, and then transported to the site?
Yes, dishes should come ready for serving. There will be no cooking on site.
What size plate is used?
That's up to each chef, but the general guideline is that if you had the item on your menu, you would feel comfortable listing the sample-sized item for $5 or more.
Can I bring business cards and menus?
Of course! We want you to get a ton of exposure here. Feel free to bring promotional materials to hand out from your table and/or to leave at the guests' tables.
What else do I get?
Competing chefs will have the opportunity to meet some of the most prominent food bloggers, local media and the area's foodies. So be ready to impress! This is an excellent opportunity for not-yet-known chefs to get discovered and for the already-established ones to further reinforce their reputation as one of the best.
Every participating chef will be heavily featured in our event advertising and promotions, including through LocalShops1's website, social media pages, and e-newsletters, which reach tens of thousands of local residents. Winners will be featured in LocalShops1's post-event promotions and receive unlimited bragging rights.
What happens if it rains?
Top Local Chef takes place rain or shine! The event takes place indoors, so don't worry about the weather. Tickets are non-refundable.
Who are the judges?
We've got the top food writers in the Tampa Bay region. Details will be announced shortly.
How does the judging work?
There will be two winners, the People's Choice and Judges' Vote.
Judges will rank each dish on the following:
- Taste
- Presentation
- Creativity
Tell me more about your non-profit partner.
Creative Clay is a local non-profit with the mission to help people with disabilities achieve full and inclusive lives through access to the arts by providing expressive, educational and vocational experiences. Creative Clay will receive 100 percent of the money collected for the popular vote, 75 percent of the art sales, and 25 percent of ticket sales and sponsorships.
Anything else I should know?
Top Local Chef is a production of LocalShops1 in partnership with Club Savor. The event benefits the non-profit Creative Clay. For vendor, sponsorship or ticket information email ester@localshops1.com.
