The Competition of the Year

What do you get when you mix Top Chef, Chopped, and the spirit of Camp? Seany’s First Annual Chef’s Fest! Hosted at the beautiful Liberty Station in Point Loma, The Seany Foundation (TSF), hosted 100’s of families and over 20 of San Diego’s best chef’s and restaurants!

TSF Chef’s Fest  was an innovative chef’s competition that allow attendees to try some of the most delicious entrees. Each participant was given a token to place their vote meaning this year’s winner was decided by the people!

Chef Hector C. sporting his TSF Chef Fest winner's apron.

One unique aspect about this competition is that everyone had something memorable to gain or a special connection to the event. On behalf of the The Seany Foundation we want to give a big camp congratulations to Chef Hector Casanova with Casanova Fish Tacos who stole the show. There was intense competition but he later revealed he had a little extra motivation. Hector learned about camp and TSF through his biggest fan, one of our brightest stars, 9-year-old Cate. After learning of his big win, he shared with the crowd “I told Cate, I said ‘Cate you know what, this time I’m gonna come out and I’m gonna win for you. So this time, I raised my own bar’.”

Cate and Hector, 2014

Cate has been around the kitchen ever since she was a little girl watching her Nono handle the catering and restaurant business. Cate has also been present while Hector competed in multiple competitions, including a Taco Showdown that he won as well. Cate loves being in the kitchen herself! Her favorite is watching Gordon Ramsey’s Master Chef Jr. and working on her dessert plating and presentation.

In addition to the overall chef’s competition, there was a quick-fire challenge that allowed 8 chefs to battle head-to-head showing off their knife skills. Chef Lance R. from The University Club, San Diego out lasted every elimination as he took the crown.   

Chef Lance R. Knife Quick Fire Champion.

Throughout the day you could enjoy the sounds of The Brothers Galvez while you ate and visited with local vendors. Attendees also got the first look at all the hot new items in TSF Shop, which is now up on the website! I think one of the most fun aspects was hearing how much people loved their experience. One family was overheard talking about how they had never tried some of the foods that were offered, yet they absolutely loved it! They also shared how neat it was that they got to share those experiences with one another.

The good news is, if you missed out on this year’s event, it has already been announced that The Seany Foundation is planning on hosting another Chef’s Fest in 2019! This is event will be sure to sell out again, so be sure to check back often on our upcoming events to ensure your spot ahead of time!