Luke Snyder Studio – The Blog

A few weeks back, I was asked to photograph a major portion of the Almost Famous Chef Finals competition.  From around the country, finalists rolled up their sleeves for three days of competition.   We began in Yountville, at a gala event where these competitors mingled with those they admired.

In its tenth year, San Pelligrino hosted the weekend.

Barrel Room in Yountville at night.

Chef Eric Riper chats with another.

Host Jake Hanover gives the okay for the show to start.

The original winner of the competition, Chef Joncarl Lachman enjoys the projected video, which formally launches the weekend. 

After walking down a red carpet, being introduced by Chef Ralph Pagano and actress Lorraine Bracco, you can bet these competitors were nervous.  I enjoyed nabbing this perspective.

Incredible ice sculptures made by Jeff Foley of http://www.clearmemories.com

Obviously, the food was of the highest caliber.

Cheese?  Yes, please!

Small wineries dotted the edge of the gala night, pairing some of the best wines in the valley with the food.  

I wasn’t there to take food pictures, but I couldn’t help it.

The next day, the “Mystery Basket” competition started early at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone where competing chefs were quickly escorted to a waiting room, and had their cell phones taken away from them.     Released one by one, they were given two hours to see and prepare the mystery ingredients in the upstairs kitchen, and then prepare a meal for 10.  

Ingredients were abundant. This year, the surprise ingredients were veal and black kale.   

Competitor Daniela Molettieri was the first to begin.

Competitor Daniel Beal was the last to start cooking.

Meanwhile, in the judging room, the celebrity chefs and media judges begin to salivate as the flavors wafted their way.

Chef Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia in Chicago and Chef Gary Danko of Restaurant Danko enjoy the conversation.

Competitor Jennifer Kim is focused (above) until Chef Joho of Everest slips in to say hello and pose for a quick one.

Competitor Eliakim John Acuna plates his entry, where veal stuffed with shiitake mushroom was sautéed in soy sauce and coconut milk.   Garnished with glazed carrot, and mashed potato, this plate earned the wow of those who ate it.

Chef Joho looks like he is enjoying all these dishes.

Chef Susur Lee of LEE (and others), listens to the description of the way this dish was prepared.

I’d try it.   You?

Chef Gary Danko and Lucy Waverman (of Canada’s The Globe and Mail) play an ad hoc mystery game of their own with some local herbs.

Chef Michele Richard from D.C.’s Citronelle has a good chuckle at some of the commentary.  

Pellegrino was everywhere, and made product placement images easy.

Unable to taste food, one of the judge’s children couldn’t be stopped from exploring.

Competitor Joseph Johnson plates his entry.

After the mystery basket competition, Chef Danko gets a few more herbs from the CIA garden.

During a mid-day break, guests and competitors enjoyed walking around Yountville to some of the best hotspots.   Look what grows in the French Laundry garden!

Later that day, the atmosphere turned celebratory and the party moved to Inglenook.

I couldn’t help but make a few portraits with competitor Daniela and vendor Jeff.   

At the end of the competition, Jennifer Kim wins the entire shabang.  Here she is with her mystery basket entry, with her seared veal, kale chips, sautéed seasonal vegetables, and Parisienne gnocchi.

For a different (and more food focused perspective), check out the work of  Jen Che, who is currently winning big awards with her food blog, http://www.tinyurbankitchen.com