2023 Teams & Judges
Judges
Albert Tash – Executive Chef
Albert Tash is the Executive Chef at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. Tash, a Canadian, has been the recipient of many prestigious awards over the years – including a President’s Award, Chef of the Year Award, and a Gold Medal at the World Culinary Arts Festival. With 20 years of experience as an Executive Chef, his prior employment includes Ameristar, Great Canadian Gaming, and Boyd Gaming.
Chef Michael Moench
Chef Moench is a Certified Executive Chef with the ACF, Member of the American Culinary Federation, Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Disciples of Escoffier, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association where he is also a member of the board.
Chef Moench’s career path has led him to work at some of the most prestigious resorts, clubs and hotels including but not limited to The Maidstone Club in East Hampton Long Island, Pinehurst Resort and Club in North Carolina, the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables and The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Florida.
Vanessa Marquis
Chef Vanessa Marquis, CEC is a Research & Development Chef at FSC Franchise Co. Chef Marquis has served the last 8 years on the ACF Tampa Bay Chapter Board and currently holds the position of President. Her husband and fellow Chef, Rene Marquis, received the Humanitarian Medal from World Chefs Without Borders, and she is a Certified Executive Chef with the American Culinary Federation and was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs last year.
Steve Phelps
Chef Phelps worked in Cleveland’s top restaurants before moving to Sarasota more than ten years ago where he is chef and co-owner of Indigenous Restaurant. His love of the ocean’s bounty and involvement in sustainability have earned him praise from conservation organizations nationwide. He is a Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Chef Ambassador and EDF Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture Board of Chefs. In 2014 and 2015 he was a semi-finalist for James Beard Foundation Best Chef South. A constant educator of his guests, staff, and the community, his mission is simple: good sourcing and respect for the planet.
St. Pete
Susan Burdian
Team Captain
Jason Gordon
Christopher Falzon
Tampa
Past Teams
2021
Judges
Norman Van Aken
Adrienne Gang, Bravo TV’s Below Deck
Joe Isidori, JOTORO Kitchen + Tequila Bar
Lee Ann Whippen, KCBS Certified Judge, celebrity pitmaster, restaurateur
Team St. Pete
Joshua Breen, Annata Wine Bar (Captian)
Jason Borajkiewicz, The Restorative
Susan Burdain, Social Roast
Burton Pratt, Sauvignon Wine Locker & American Trattoria
Kevin Riley, Levy Restaurants & Tampa Bay Rays
James Renew, The Little Lamb Gastropub
Mike Crippin, The Studio Public House
Team Tampa (winner)
Taro Larrea, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood (Captian)
Sean Brasel, Meat Market
Joe Dodd, King of the Coop
Casey Ryan, Legends & Tampa Bay Buccanneers
Amy Pattison, Mise en Place
Waylon Nelson, Delaware North & Tampa Bay Lightning
Matthew Zappoli, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
2020
Judges
Thaddeus Bullard a.k.a. WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil
Chad Johnson, Haven
Angela and Andrew Duncan, The Duncan Duo
Kim Miller-Boivin, Culinary Director of Welbilt
Helen Freund, Tampa Bay Times, Food and Dining Food Critic
Team St. Pete (winner)
Jason Ruhe, Brick & Mortar (Captain)
Ted Dorsey, The Mill, Chair
Tyson Grant, Parkshore Grill
Ben Hooper, The Dewey
Art Kucherenko, Sola Bistro & Wine Bar
Colin Reinsmith, Sea Worthy Fish + Bar
Rob Reinsmith, Wild Child
Team Tampa
Michael Buttacavoli, Cena (Captain)
James Maita, Sacred Pepper
Frank Anderson, Seminole Hard Rock
Jason Saldutti, Forbici
Taro Larrea, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
Adam Polisei, Ocean Prime
2019
Judges
Norman Van Aken, Chef and author
James Petrakis, The Ravenous Pig
Julie Petrakis, The Ravenous Pig
Helen Freund, Tampa Bay Times, Food Critic
Hosts
Thaddeus Bullard, a.k.a. WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil
Aaron Jacobson, Newsradio WFLA
Tom “Tkras” Krasniqie, 95.3 WDAE
Jeff Philbin, Master Chef Finalist
Team St. Pete (winner)
Ted Dorsey, The Mill, Chair
Rachel Bennett, The Library, Captain
Jonathan Atanacio, K Club Bistro
Joshua Breen, Alto Mare
Jordan Buendia, Rococo Steak
Hector Garcia, Paul’s Landing
Jason Ruhe, Brick & Mortar
Viet Vo, Sekushi
Team Tampa
Candy DeBartolo, Sacred Pepper, Chair
James Maita, Sacred Pepper, Captain
Paul Boucher, Mise en Place
Hab Hamde, Bern’s
Anne Kearney, Oak & Ola
Taro Larrea, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
Adam Polisei, Ocean Prime
Adrihel H. Rosario, Oystercatchers
2018
Judges
Cory Bahr
Cindy Hutson
Victoria Jordan Rodriquez
Serena Poon
Laura Reiley
Team St. Pete (winner)
Stephen Schrutt, Chair
Ted Dorsey, The Mill, Captain
Lee Aquino, The Birchwood
Adam Beckett, Locale Market
Rachell Bennett, The Library
David Benstock, Il Ritorno
Chris Fernandez, Red Mesa
Tyson Grant, Parkshore Grill
Lee Jasper, Dr. BBQ
Team Tampa
Jeff Gigante, Chair
Chad Johnson, Haven, Captain
Ferrell Alvarez, Rooster & the Till
Michael Buttacavoli, Cena
Nathan Hardin, Steelbach
Felicia LaCalle, Hemingways
James Maita, Sacred Pepper
Courtney Orwig, Haven
Jason Saldutti, Forbici
2017
Judges
Cory Bahr
Marty Blitz
Mike Calta
Ray “Dr. BBQ” Lampe
Art Smith
Team St. Pete
Matthew Brennan, Paul’s Landing
Luke Decker, The Birchwood
Ted Dorsey, The Mill
Tyson Grant, Parkshore Grill
Rob Reinsmith, Noble Crust
Jason Ruhe, Brick & Mortar
Jeffrey Jew, Stillwaters Tavern
Team Tampa (winner)
Richard Anderson, Oxford Exchange
Michael Buttacavoli, Cena
Chad Johnson, Haven
Antoine Ludcene, Cask
Robert Masson, 717 South
Ryan Mitchell, Fresh Kitchen