John Dean
Twig's in Blowing Rock, NC
My cooking style is: Southern/French
My competitive advantage is the fact that I enjoy the challenge of cooking with secret ingredients, creating a menu on a whim and executing it. My imagination and training would be great for the competition.
Sam Ratchford
My cooking style is: Creative American Cuisine, gourmet food with a twist
The NC ingredients I use are produce, cheeses, meats, seafood, hot sauces and sodas
Sam Beasley
My cooking style is: French-influenced Southern Culture Comfort Food
The NC ingredients I use are products from New River Organic Growers, NC trout, any day-boat seafood that is available seasonally, and pork from a local farm less than a mile from our restaurant. This state has such a plethora of livestock and produce, Go Local or Go Home.
Craig Miller
My cooking style is: Seasonal Fusion prepared simply with bold flavors
My competitive advantage is the fact that I cook off the cuff depending on the season and what is available. I think that encompasses the whole concept of Fire on the Rock. Having 26 years experience in the business doesn't hurt either.
Will Young
My cooking style is: American Fusion
My competitive advantage is the fact that I am a motivated chef providing the high country with unique and tasty dishes for the past 10 years. I am also the head brewer at Blind Squirrel Brewery.
Julius Kalman
Canyons in Blowing Rock, NC
My cooking style is: American Cuisine
My competitive advantage is the fact that I am very passionate about cooking and enjoy competition.
James Welch
My cooking style is: New American
The NC ingredients I use are lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, goat cheese, and summertime harvest from our own garden
Clark Barlowe
Heirloom in Blowing Rock, NC
My cooking style is: Globally-inspired, North Carolina-driven
My competitive advantage is the fact that I have twice worked at the #1 restaurant in the world at The French Laundry and El Bulli. I have also appeared on The Food Network's "Chopped" and love competition cooking.
Adam Hayes
My cooking style is: Classical, rustic, real, traditional, simplistic, not pretentious!
My competitive advantage is my passion for NC agriculture - local farms - and my cooking skills! I love a good challenge! I am winner of the Best Dish NC Award for the 2012 Fine Dining category.
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Jason Brian
My cooking style is: American bar food
The NC ingredients I use are rabbit, trout, pork, bison, chicken, beef, cheese, and various produce
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Jason Roy
LAB in Asheville, NC
My cooking style is: Eclectic and spontaneous
The NC ingredients I use are beef that we raise ourselves as well as local cheese, produce, honey, goat's milk, and eggs
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John Strauss
Hobnob in Brevard, NC
My cooking style is: Farm-to-table-Lousiana Fusion
The NC ingredients I use are catfish, trout, beef, chicken, and local, seasonal vegetables including what we grow in our own 1-acre garden
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Mauricio Abreu
My cooking style is: Comfort food
The NC ingredients I use are beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and produce
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Matthew Miner
My cooking style is: Contemporary eclectic
My competitive advantage is the fact that I am passionate about my craft, I love a challenge and love to compete!
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Peter Pollay
My cooking style is: Contemporary American
My competitive advantage is the fact that we are familiar with the local products, bringing in up to 80 local items that we utilize at Posana Cafe. We were the first Green-Certified restaurant in NC.
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Scott Wallace
My cooking style is: Fusion
My competitive advantage is the fact that I have worked in different great restaurants in Asheville and developed my own style. I am very good at making much from little.
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