in search of the perfect date

Nine Top Contenders Showcased at The Perfect Date Chef Challenge

Sunday, April 11, 2—4:30 p.m. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino Special Events Center

Celebrating a decade of challenging chefs to get creative with California Dates, The Perfect Date Chef Challenge showcases nine previous top winners on Sunday, April 11 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino's Special Events Center.   Open to the public from 2—4:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person available at the door.

Appetizer category are (first row, from left) Greg Wiener, Executive Sous Chef, The Boulders Resort, Phoenix, Arizona; Mark Sickenberger, Executive Chef, Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage; and Eric Wadlund, Executive Chef/Director of Operations, Spencer’s Restaurant, Palm Springs.

Entrée category contenders are (right row, from top)  Leanne Kamekona, Executive Chef, Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, Rancho Mirage; Oliver Wolf, Executive Chef, Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa, Palm Desert; and William Withrow, Executive Sous Chef, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

Dessert competitors are (bottom row, from left) Yasmin Martin, pastry chef, The Vintage Club, Indian Wells; Tiburcio Neri, pastry chef, Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Sap. Rancho Mirage; and Jerome Diop, pastry chef, Andalusia Country Club, La Quinta.

Advance tickets are also available at Shields Date Garden, Highway 111 at Jefferson in Indio.  Call (760) 347-4510 for information.

      

       

       

Meet the winners of the 2009 professional Date Chef Competition 

On April 19, 2009 fourteen chefs competed in creating the best recipe with California Date and only five came away as winners.

Best of Show

Yasmin Martin, Pastry Chef of the Vintage Club, Indian Wells

Halawi Date Mousse and Fromage Blanc Cheesecake

 

First Place Appetizer

Herve Glin, Executive Chef at The Cork Tree Restaurant,

 Palm Desert

Dates Trio “California Style”

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Smoked Sea Salt and Dates

 

First Place Entrée

Oliver Wolf, Executive Chef at Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort and Spa, Palm Desert

Pork Tenderloin over Boniato Date Mashed Potatoes

 with Vincotto Jus

 

First Place Dessert

Tiburcio Neri, Senior Pastry Chef of Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa, Rancho Mirage

Simple Elegant Date Cake

 

People’s Choice

Leanne Kamekona, Executive Chef of Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa, Rancho Mirage