Savor the Flavor.

The Super Bowl isn’t the only competition being held this Sunday.

The Mile Hi and Vail chapters of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, the oldest gastronomic society in the world, will host a Jeunes Commis (Young Chef) competition at the Art Institute this Sunday, February 6th. The winners of the culinary contest will advance to the regional competition in San Antonio, TX this March.

The Jeunes Commis competition typically starts at the regional level, but this year will be different. Thanks to Cherry Creek Country Club Chef and 2004 Jeunes Commis National Champion Brian Hubner, and Denver chapter president Jeff Grundmann, twelve young chefs have been given the opportunity to represent Colorado in San Antonio this year.

The competition will be much like an episode of the Food Network’s “Chopped”. The douze cuisiniers, selected from culinary programs and recommended by local chefs, will be given a mystery basket containing ingredients that they must use to serve four people a three course meal that will be designed and executed in a four hour time period.

Not only will this be a trying task, but the judge panel is comprised of professional chefs from Denver and Vail, as well as members of the American Culinary Federation.

The judges scheduled to attend are as follows:

Chef Christopher DeJohn, CEC, AAC Centerplate, Invesco Field at Mile High

Chef Greg Sever, CEC Azura Lakewood

Chef Robert Mietzer, CEC Red Rocks Country Club

Chef Krista Easter Back Bowl Soup Company

Chef Justin Brunson Masterpiece Deli

Chef Jeff Osaka Restaurant Twelve

Chef David Walford Splendido

Chef Justin Hugill Quinntessential Catering

Vice Conseiller Culinaire David Lurie Seth Ellis Chocolate

Vice Conseiller Gastronomique Jim Haeffner

The competition will begin at 8:15am at the Art Institute on 675 S Broadway. It will be concluded with the judges’ critique at 4pm, and will be followed up with an awards dinner at Pesce Fresco in Centennial on Tuesday, February 8th.

Congrats to our local young chefs for being selected for this unique opportunity, and best of luck in your race to regionals.

Click here to learn more about the Chaîne des Rôtisseur.