MEET THE 2017 CHEFS

These three chefs will go head-to-head, each creating something delicious in an attempt to win your vote!

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NICOLE PEDERSON

Found
Evanston

After culinary school in her hometown of Minneapolis and staging in France, Nicole was at Gramercy Tavern in New York then Lula Café in Chicago, where she honed her passion for all things local. She most recently held the post of Executive Chef at C-House, where she cut her teeth on running a kitchen. Nicole’s Midwestern roots contribute to her focus on pure flavors, simplicity, and seasonality in her cuisine, evident in Found’s produce-centric menu.

JARED WENTWORTH

Trench
​​Wicker Park

Jared is a Michelin-starred chef who was the founding chef and partner at Longman & Eagle in Chicago's Logan Square. He currently serves as culinary director for Heisler Hospitality which manages nine different Chicago restaurants. He helped launch Trench, a contemporary American tavern located on North Avenue, just West of the six corners in Wicker Park. For decades, the North Avenue Baths building has been a gathering spot for the community. The atmosphere is lively, drinks are classic and the food is bold. 

ANDRES PADILLA

Lena Brava
West Loop

Andres joined Rick Bayless's Topolobampo as a sous chef in 2008 and rose to the prestigious title of chef de cuisine in 2012 before being selected to head up Bayless's newest venture - Lena Brava. An alum of Douglas Rodriguez’s DeLaCosta, Padilla owes his addiction to Mexican food to his grandmother. “She always made delicious renditions of what her mother and grandmother made for her,” he says. 

VIP Reception

Chef Tommy Michel, Two Brothers

VIP ticket holders will also enjoy a special Spring tasting menu from Chef Tommy Michel of Two Brothers. Upgrade to VIP when purchasing your ticket!

THE JUDGES

Along with the audience vote, our chef competitors will be scored by a panel of judges.

Jason Paskewitz

Corporate Executive Chef, Ocean Cut

Lamar Moore

Chef

Nathan Sears

Executive Chef, theWit

MEET THE HOST

Amanda Puck

Emmy Award winning host of “Check, Please” 2001, 2002

As a food fanatic, Amanda Puck can be found all over Chicago’s vibrant dining scene, enjoying it one bite at a time. She is also the Director of Strategic Brand Development for Mariano's, and a recognized leader in the hospitality, event and communications industries.

A foodie first, Amanda was the Managing Partner of Spago Restaurant and also the two-time Emmy Award winning host of “Check, Please” on WTTW Channel 11 for its first two seasons in 2001 and 2002.

She is excited to be part of the Mariano's team, and build the brand as it grows in the marketplace, and she always loves a good food fight!

PAST PARTICIPANTS

Food Fight for Scleroderma is proud to have received support from Chicago's biggest chefs and many of them come back year after year. Thank you chefs!

Tony Mantuano, Spiaggia, Top Chef Masters  |  Rick Gresh, AceBounce  |  Stephanie Izard, Girl & The Goat, Little Goat, Top Chef
Bill Kim, BellyQ, Urban Belly  |  Heather Terhune, Tre Rivali, Top Chef  |  Giuseppe Tentori, GT Fish & Oyster, GT Prime
Gale Gand, Pastry Chef, Restaurateur  |  Sarah Grueneberg, Monteverde, Top Chef  |  Chris Pandel, The Bristol, Swift & Sons
Harold Jurado, Yusho  |  Jason Paskewitz, The Blanchard  |  Lamar Moore, The Smoke Daddy  |  Nathan Sears, The Radler
Tom Van Lente, White Oak Tavern  |  Jared Van Camp, Nellcote, Old Town Social, Owen + Alchemy
Cleetus Friedman, Fountainhead  |  Rey Villalobos, Table Fifty-Two  |  Kristine Subido, Pecking Order
Matt Troost, Three Aces, The Charlatan  |  Roger Herring, Socca  |  David Dworshak, Takito Kitchen  |  Nick Lacasse - mfk