Just as singers bent on becoming the next big thing hoped that Adam Levine, Shakira, Blake Shelton or Usher would hit their buzzer and swivel their chairs around during the blind auditions on Season 4 of “The Voice,” six of Denver’s up-and-coming chefs will be hoping that four of the city’s top toques do the same when they vie to become The Next Culinary Voice.
Competitors in the Aug. 28 Colorado Chefs Challenge, a benefit for the , are Aaron Bernstein, sous chef at ; Ian Chisholm, executive chef/owner at ; Jeff Kenser, executive chef at ; Doug Mace, executive chef at BaReD; Sean McGaughey, executive chef at ; and Thach Tran, sous chef at .
Each will prepare a dish to be served to judges Mark DeNittis, director of curriculum at and president/founder of the ; Jenna Johansen, innovation chef at and a competitor on Bravo-TV’s “Around the World in 80 Plates;” Matt Selby, executive chef/owner at ; and Elise Wiggins, executive chef at Panzano.
“We’ll have a set just like ‘The Voice,’ complete with swivel chairs,” promises event coordinator Jennah Lagomarsino. “And lots of surprises.”
The preparations also will be sampled by the 200 guests, who in turn will vote on their favorite.
In addition, pastry chefs Nina Acosta ( ), David Lewis ( ) and Nadine Donavan ( ) will create dessert displays to be judged by those attending the 5:30 p.m. event at .
There will also be a silent auction and entertainment by the Johnny Magombo Band. JP Morgan Chase is the presenting sponsor; the Colorado Chefs Association is the official partner.
Tickets can be purchased , or by calling Lagomarsino or Anne Harris, 303-296-6610.
