Texas Chef Heads To Columbia, South Carolina For $100,000 Competition

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Posted Apr 29, 2022

Texas Chef Heads To Columbia, South Carolina For $100,000 Competition

Chef Preston Nguyen entered the World Food Championships’ (WFC) 9th Annual Main Event at its newest location of Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, as a rookie competitor looking to land a respectable Top Ten finish in the chef category. Turns out he left Dallas with the most coveted prize of all — $7,500 in winnings and the title of 2021 World Chef Champion, which gives him a seat at WFC’s $100,000 Final Table Challenge this April.

For the first dish, a “structured” challenge, competitors created Wellington while also including Minor’s® Classical Reduction. Each team was encouraged to put their own spin on what Wellington meant to them. The guidelines, as defined by WFC organizers, were “a protein (or assortment of proteins) of the chef’s choice, wrapped in pastry, then baked.” Nguyen served up Wagyu Wellington.

The next challenge, the “signature” dish round, gave competitors the opportunity to showcase their talents with no limits. With 90 minutes on the clock, they had free rein to craft any recipe, which for Nguyen was his “Mediterranean Lambchop with Harissa Riced Cauliflower, Stuffed Vegetables, and Roasted Garlic Hummus.”

In the Final Round, the 18-year-old's goal was to best the other nine competitors who advanced to WFC’s Top Ten round, which involved an “Infusion” challenge. In this third and final round, each competitor was tasked with creating any dish they wished to make. The challenge, however, required them to incorporate Minor’s Masala Curry Flavor Concentrate. Nguyen created a “Wagyu 3 Ways and a Taste of the East,” which earned him the title of World Chef Champion.

For his next challenge, Nguyen will go up against the other nine category champions at WFC’s Final Table event in South Carolina’s Lake Murray Country set for April 30 - May 1, featuring three rounds of challenges inspired by local cuisine experts.

To learn more about “Final Table: Columbia,” visit https://finaltable.worldfoodchampionships.com/.

Stay up-to-date on all culinary competition news, by following the World Food Championships on Twitter (@WorldFoodChamp), Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships).

About World Food Championships:

The World Food Championships (WFC) is the highest stakes food competition in the world. This multi-day, live event culinary competition showcases some of the world's best cooks who compete for food, fame and fortune in 10 categories (Bacon, Barbecue, Burger, Dessert, Rice/Noodles, Sandwich, Seafood, Soup, Steak and Vegetarian). In 2021, more than 300 culinary teams from 5 countries and 40 American states competed in WFC’s Main Event. The Champions of each category will now face their next challenge called The Final Table, which will be held at South Carolina's Lake Murray Country in late April (Click here to request an invitation to the event). While contestants have to earn their way into WFC by winning a Golden Ticket at a previous competition, potential judges are welcome to take WFC’s online certification course that explains the E.A.T. methodology. Certified judges then request and receive available seats at the next scheduled WFC event. Click here to learn more about getting certified.

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Texas Chef Heads To Columbia, South Carolina For $100,000 Competition

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