Top Chef named in Flavors Cook-Off competition

Before an audience of about 600 people that included local Historic City News reporters, Chef Brett Smith from the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa, was named “Top Chef” during the second annual “Flavors Top Chef Cook-Off”.

The event is marketed and promoted by the St. Augustine Ponte Vedra Visitors and Conventions Bureau, and is held as a charitable fundraiser for Home Again St Johns; and is held at the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort.

“The Top Chef Cook-Off is the signature event of the “Flavors of Florida’s Historic Coast” dining promotion,” said Richard Goldman. “During this month-long October event, twenty-two restaurants on Florida’s Historic Coast offer price-fixed meals to diners.”

Runners-up in the “Iron Chef” style competition were named, and included second place honors for Chef Mathieu Landillon of Vernon’s at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa and third place honors for Chef Jacob Baster of Old City House.

In addition to a culinary competition, the Flavors Top Chef Cook-Off was a tasting event where eleven outstanding local restaurants showcased their fare along with beer sampling by Mile Marker Brewing and wine sampling by San Sebastian Winery.

Participants voted for their favorite restaurant selecting Vernon’s we winner of the “People’s Choice Award”.

Contestants included Villagio Italian Grille; Old City House Restaurant; Aviles at Hilton St Augustine Bayfront; the Bull and Crown Colonial Quarter; Hot Shots Bakery & Café; The Tasting Room; Rhett’s Piano Bar and Brasserie; The Reef; Raintree Restaurant; Vernon’s at Sawgrass Marriott; and Taberna Del Cabballo at Colonial Quarter.

For more information about Flavors of Florida’s Historic Coast, including participating restaurants and menus, visit HistoricCoastFlavors.com