Congratulations to Chef Jason Gordon of the Brass Bowl Kitchen & Juicery in St. Petersburg, winner of both the popular AND judges vote, and runner-ups Chef Vitto Ruggieri, Portofino Italian Ristorante (people's choice) and Chef Gaston Merideth, Gaston's Culinary Services (judges vote).
Top Local Chef is a LocalShops1 event, in partnership with Club Savor. The 2019 event helped raise close to $2,000 for our nonprofit partner, Creative Clay. Event sponsors include Intensity Academy Gourmet Sauces, Gateau OChocolat and JB's Sweet Addiction
Please check back in January for details on Top Local Chef 2020!
So what's this all about?
Top Local Chef is Pinellas County's top foodie event of the year! The LocalShops1 event is produced in collaboration with Club Savor and helps raise money for a different local non-profit every year.
For the 2019 event, 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! Here is the list of the 2019 participating chefs and competing artists.
The event is open to the public, but tickets are limited to 120 reserved seating and 80 standing-room. Admission includes samples from the competing chefs, plus special treats from dessert and appetizer sponsors.
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??
Please check back in early January for information on applying for Top Local Chef 2020.
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!
On competition day,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 venue (the Manhattan Casino) and the floor plan, so I can be best prepared?
Of course! Contact Ester Venouziou at [email protected] or Roger Curlin at [email protected]
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 [email protected]. 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 is 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. Check the JUDGES tab to see the 2019 panel.
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.
Our 2019 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 a different local nonprofit every year. For vendor, sponsorship or ticket information email [email protected].
Top Local Chef is a LocalShops1 event, in partnership with Club Savor. The 2019 event helped raise close to $2,000 for our nonprofit partner, Creative Clay. Event sponsors include Intensity Academy Gourmet Sauces, Gateau OChocolat and JB's Sweet Addiction
Please check back in January for details on Top Local Chef 2020!
So what's this all about?
Top Local Chef is Pinellas County's top foodie event of the year! The LocalShops1 event is produced in collaboration with Club Savor and helps raise money for a different local non-profit every year.
For the 2019 event, 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! Here is the list of the 2019 participating chefs and competing artists.
The event is open to the public, but tickets are limited to 120 reserved seating and 80 standing-room. Admission includes samples from the competing chefs, plus special treats from dessert and appetizer sponsors.
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??
Please check back in early January for information on applying for Top Local Chef 2020.
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!
On competition day,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 venue (the Manhattan Casino) and the floor plan, so I can be best prepared?
Of course! Contact Ester Venouziou at [email protected] or Roger Curlin at [email protected]
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 [email protected]. 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 is 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. Check the JUDGES tab to see the 2019 panel.
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.
Our 2019 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 a different local nonprofit every year. For vendor, sponsorship or ticket information email [email protected].