Want to see some GREAT shots of 2008's event? Check out these six FULL albums!  Album 1  ~  Album 2  ~  Album 3 Album 4  ~  Album 5  ~  Album 6

Judges' Choice Award:                           

1. Yama Zakura, Northboro, Chef Anna, Tuna Tataki
2. Via Alto 27, Clinton, Chef Matrias Farias, Chicken Bracioline
3. Cedar Street Restaurant, Sturbridge, Chef William Nemeroff, Korean BBQ Beef Skewer

People's Choice Award:

1. Baba Sushi, Worcester, Chef Wilson Wang, Sushi Medley
2. Rovezzi's Ristorante, Chef Christopher Rovezzi, Roasted Pork Belly with Parsnip Puree
3. Cedar Street Restaurant, Chef William Nemeroff, Korean BBQ Beef Skewer

Excitement reverberated throughout the Worcester Technical High School's elegant rotunda as guests in a range of ages poured in on Sunday, September 28, 2008, to sample the finest food and drink from some of the local restaurants of central Massachusetts.

The evening started out nicely with where small groups of chefs proudly served their cuisine and carefully watched the reaction of the guests looking for clues to the result of the vote to come. The voices of the people were heard as all the attendees cast their ballets rating each business to determine their favorite.

In addition to the popular vote, seven judges, including the Worcester Telegram & Gazette's Barbara Houle, applied their culinary expertise to discern the best course and top restaurants of the night.

The gastric experience was just the beginning of the fun that evening. Jim Polito from WTAG provided wit and banter as MC.  Salsa Storm performed several dazzling dances in the Center Atrium. Juggleography thrilled the audience by tossing knives. Free soothing chair massages were offered by Theracopie Massage Therapy and Wellness Center. The United States Army Color Guard made a dignified presence at the event.

Sir Jeremy John Bell from Scotland lead the crowd to the stage in a bagpipe procession for a Perrier-Jouet Champagne "sabering", where Sir Jeremy shows spectators how to "uncork" a $90 bottle of PJ with a 4-foot sword! One of the competing chefs even surprised the audience and the Scottish performer by singing a rendition of the Scottish National Anthem in Sir Jeremy's honor.  Moving the crowd with him, Sir Jeremy then paraded upstairs to indulge guests in a luxe 20-year-old post tasting by Sandeman's. 

The officiality of the public's voting was felt as policmen escorted certified public accountants and auditors from Houssan Ojerholm to the stage at the end of the night to deliver the sealed and certified results of the competition for best chef for announcement by Domenic D. Mercurio, Jr., president of Mercury Media & Entertainment, LLC. The anticipation of the 30 Worcester Technical High School culinary art students that assisted in the event that night could not be contained at they gathered around the stage to read the final winner. Simultaneously they announced and cheered that Baba Sushi was once again crowned Worcester's Best Chef, but this time for the People's Choice, instead of 2007's Judge's Choice. 

It can be devised from the results of the People's Choice and Judges' Choice votes that sushi has become a popular choice of cuisine in the Worcester area as two sushi chefs took top honors in each category.

Greetings Fellow Foodies!!

The incredible turnout of the inaugural event last year was truly more than we expected! As a result, we have chosen a new venue - the sprawling and beautiful Worcester Technical High School - and have increased the number of wait staff, giving each chef his/her own bus person; various locations for wine tastings, thus eliminating any chance of excessive lines; and we have allowed for more than ample parking.

Please join us and vote as our two champion chefs, Chris Rovezzi from Rovezzi's Ristorante, and Wilson Wang from BaBa Sushi, defend their "WBC" titles this year against some very worthy competitors.

Join us September 28th for the 2nd Annual Worcester's Best Chef Competition.

Calling ALL Restaurants for 2008! Please Download the restaurant application and follow the instructions.

Worcester's Best Chef is a culinary competition taking place at the Worcester Technical High School on September 28th from 5 - 9 p.m featuring food sampling for all attendees by 25+ Restaurants!

View photos from last year, compliments of photographers Kelly Morello and Scott Holloway.

The event will feature the best chefs from central Massachusetts and Metro West restaurants, each preparing his/her signature creation in the following categories:

• American Infusion;
• Asian (Chinese, Japanese, Thai);
• Italian (Regional, north to south);
• Mediterranean/Greek/Middle Eastern;
• Seafood;
• Dessert.

Judging: There will be two (2) phases of judging, each with an award including The People's Choice Award and the official Worcester's Best Chef award determined by a panel comprised of distinguished professionals from the culinary arts community. Voting for the People's Choice Award will be tallied and audited at the event.

Champagne, Port, Scotch, and a Massage
For those guests that would like a break from the food, wine, art and live entertainment, special accommodations will be set up in the VIP area for a Perrier-Joet Champagne, Sanderman's Port and Chivas Regal Scotch tasting, hosted by Sir Jeremy John Bell, Knight of Tasting and professional bagpipe musician, followed by a seated massage, courtesy of Theracopia Massage Therapy & Wellness Center, Southborough's #1 Choice for Day Spa/Massage and 2008 Reader's Choice Gold Standard.

Tickets
Cost to attend the event is $40 in advance online. Register before September 28th and use the discount code, "EarlyBird" to receive $10 off of each ticket.

To Benefit
Portion of the proceeds to benefit the new Culinary Scholarship Fund established by Worcester's Best Chef in 2007, to advance students' ability to attend higher culinary education.

Art Exhibition
D'Zian Gallery of Water Street will exhibit original oils and water colors upstairs and around the Great Hall.