This past week an awesome event happened in Costa Mesa at SOCO and it was called, “To Live & Dine Chef’s Challenge.” The event was on Wednesday, August 14th from 6:00pm-8:00pm and cost $20 and was put together by Riviera Magazine. Upon being invited to this event I was unsure of what to expect, but I was blown away by the awesome set up and all of the fabulous vendors that attended! 🙂 SOCO is located at 3303 Hyland Avenue in the city of Costa Mesa. For more information about the awesome SOCO center and OC Mix Mart, go to my post here: South Coast Collection
This premiere tasting event had some of the most awesome dishes to sample from over 20 Orange County Chefs and there was a competition among the chefs in which the attendees were able to judge by dropping gold coins in the chefs’ baskets. The winner of the event ended up being new Chef at Chapter One, Jason Montelibano, also known as “Chef Chicken Wang.”
Restaurant participants from this year’s event included: Arc, Brasserie Pascal, Chapter One: the modern local, Charlie Palmer, Cinepolis, Sandy’s Beach Grill, Las Brisas, Mare Culinary Lounge, Mastro’s Ocean Club, Mesa, POSH, Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine, Silver Trumpet, Shuck Oyster Bar, Taco Maria, The Cheese Shop, The Iron Press, Theorem, The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon, Shuck Oyster Bar, Wild Goose Tavern, and Wildfish Seafood Grille.
A portion of the proceeds went to a charity called CASA – which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County is a non-profit organization. More information can be found here: CASA Check out my picture overview below all about this fabulous event. Hope to see you there next year. 🙂
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I guess you really had a great time witnessing the event. From the pictures you’ve collected it was certain that it was really “fabulous”. Again, very nice and yet mouth watering article.
Thank you John for the comment and the compliments:) There were many fabulous items to sample at this event:)
This sounds amazing. It’s incredible that you don’t weigh 250 pounds… I know I would if I were invited to an event like this!!
LOL..It is all about keeping up with exercise and eating light during the rest of the day prior to an event:)
We LOVE SoCo! They have such fun events! Our friend Anais Tangie insures that!
Yes Loretta!! I know Anais:) She is a sweetie:) I actually saw her at this event:)
Cool! I’ve never heard of a “Crush Hour” before!
Yvonne Brown
🙂 It is a creative name, I agree:)
I really want to get out there soon… I was talking to my wife about going to LA eventually.
Very cool Rob! Let me know when you guys are in town:)
Looks like you had a great time with great food! Very nice pics too!
Thanks Jim:) It was great fun and quite yum in the tum!
I sure do miss the fun events in the OC area. Great pictures and article about your wonderful experience.
Thanks Lisa:) You should make a trip to the OC:) Where do you reside?
Sure wish we had events like this. It seems you sure do have some amazing culinary experiences and great pics too!
Thank you Casey.:) You should check to see if there are local events in your area such as these:)
I need to get down to your area again sometime. Looks like you guys have a lot going on down there!
Always. I definitely do keep busy with some great events.:)
Looks like an amazing time with good food and friends. Nice pictures too.
Thanks Jeff:) It was a lot of great fun:)
I would have loved to sample all the yummy food!
Dana it was pretty amazing:)
That is amazing!.. Boy oh boy if I could travel and experience different kinds of food!
You definitely should Savannah:)
You got that right – awesome it is!
Fabulous event! 🙂
I just love attending those tasting events! It is so great to try a little sample from each restaurant, and then you can go to the ones you love for a full meal!
Exactly!!!This type of event gives you the opportunity to see which restaurants you really like! 🙂
I love events like these!!! There’s something about free samples that does the soul good
Oh yes! There was one set fee at the door for attendees, but well worth the $20!!!
Nice pictures from the event! Almost as good as mine! 😉 What was your favorite dish from the event? Mine was from The Ranch and Taco Maria
My funny little Tommy! My favorite dish hands down was the scallop from the Ranch..It was cooked perfectly and I absolutely love their popcorn macaron ice cream sandwiches!!
looked like a success
Was definitely a fabulous event!
You two guys, always know how to spend your days in fun together.
Great blog, dear!
Thank you Alikekid for the comment and the compliment:) You are so kind:)
Oyster bar and wild fish on the grill is what I like.
You have great taste Dov! 🙂
Everything looks so good!!!! Thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed:)
Wow! Moving up in the world I see
LOL
Looks like a great event and a great charity
I love going to charity events such as these:) Great food and fun and for a good cause:)
That’s some yummy looking food! I’m sure y’all had a blast
For sure Veronica:) I love the good stuff! 🙂
That’s some seriously fancy and yummy looking food! I love getting sneak peeks into places from your blog so we can kind of get a feel for what places are like, it makes me want to try the places now, and I might not ever have wanted to try before reading your blog! THANKS!
Thanks for the comment:) This way when you come to visit California, you will know all of the great restaurants to go to.:)
That looks like a great event. I love the Costa Mesa area.
Me too! 🙂 Costa Mesa is fun and they have some fabulous restaurants! You should check out restaurant week going on right now through august 23rd. Here are the details: https://danisdecadentdeals.com/2013/08/13/costa-mesa-restaurant-week-august-16th-23rd-2013/
How fun! Not only were you able to sample tasty entree’s from amazing chef’s, but they donated part of the proceeds to charity. I love that 🙂
Thanks for the comment Dionne:) It was a great event:) It does feel great to be able to donate to charity!