Jada Vidal (L) and Adrianna Siller during Feeding Tampa Bay’s ‘Epic Chef’ finale at the Epicurean Theatre in Tampa, Florida on July 17, 2024. Credit: Photo by Kate Scaglione c/o Feeding Tampa Bay

For the first time in the contest’s eight-year history, Feeding Tampa Bay’s “Epic Chef” opened the chef selection process to applications, and the feedback was tremendous.

Last April, a panel featuring Stovall House Executive Chef Rachel Bennett, Mise en Place legend Marty Blitz, Mainsail Hotel’s Brandon Marshall and this writer selected these four finalists for the “Chopped”-style tournament that crowns its 2024 champ this summer.

Feeding Tampa Bay 2024 Epic Chef Matchups

July 22: Guillermo Quezada (Saute Cook, Rooster & the Till) v. Chef JLW Johnston (The Stovall House)
July 29: Ehinar Cruz (Chef de Cuisine, Tides Market) v Moesha Collymore (Sous Chef, Predalina)

Later this week, local culinarians can mingle ahead of Epic Chef’s first round (Monday, July 22 at the Epicurean) with a kickoff reception featuring sampling from local hot spots like Mise, Élevage and Wild Child.

All proceeds from the contest and kickoff go to the nonprofit’s mission to end hunger in the Bay area.

Tickets to the Feeding Tampa Bay Epic Chef Kick Off Reception on Monday, July 15 are still available for $95.

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