Chefs Fest 2023 will feature more than 40 chefs

Details begin to emerge for Aug. 19 event at Super Cao Nguyen

Got an update on Chefs Fest to share. Mark your calendars for Aug. 19, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. More than 40 chefs will gather at Super Cao Nguyen, 2668 N. Military Ave., throughout the day serving the authentic flavors of the 405 diningscape on behalf of Pivot.

The brigade gathered at mentor chef Kurt Fleischfresser’s private space, The Tasting Room, last Monday to discuss the event, brainstorm dishes and begin making a schedule.

You’ll find the completed schedule here first when it’s ready. Follow updates on my Instagram and Facebook pages. RSVP on Super Cao Nguyen’s Facebook events page.

Among the chefs joining Fleischfresser is freshly minted James Beard Award winner Andrew Black of Grey Sweater, Black Walnut and The Gilded Acorn. Black isn’t the only Beard-winner who will be behind a booth. Victoria Kemp will represent Florence’s Restaurant at Chefs Fest, and sources indicate mac & cheese may be involved. Loretta Oden Barrett of the First American Museum will also grace the event with her wisdom and culinary charms.

Previous James Beard Award nominees Jeff Chanchaleune of Ma Der Lao Kitchen and Zach Hutton of Scratch Paseo are also scheduled to return.

For the first time, Chefs Fest will feature chefs from around the state. Tabb Singleton, a chef and pitmaster from Idabel, will haul his smoker up to serve Smoked Shoyu beef belly with chlled sesame noodles and phat chili crunch plus a fried bulgogi-syle bologna sandwich with cucumber kimchi and Kewpie mayonnaise. He’ll be joined by pitmasters Levi Bouska of Wellston’s Butcher BBQ and Zach Edge of Edge Craft BBQ.

Previously known as Chef Fest, the event moves forward as Chefs Fest, but it started even more simply. Back in 2019, the Luong family were planning a celebration for the 40^th anniversary of their ownership of Super Cao Nguyen Market. Long a favorite of local chefs, Super Cao Nguyen called upon the stove-minding community to set up a food fair in the mall adjacent to the grocery store that June. It was a massive success.

When chef emeritus John Bennett passed away the following month, chefs rallied to raise money in September of 2019 for the Chef John Bennett Memorial Scholarship at the University of Central Oklahoma, calling it Chef Fest. That event was even bigger.

A follow-up Chef Fest planned for March of 2020 at Parlor OKC was canceled just weeks ahead with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Then last year, Super Cao Nguyen decided to resuscitate the event and run it adjacent to the Asian Night Market Festival. The two events drew thousands to the corner of Military and Classen.

Chefs Fest reflects the events evolution of the event as a fundraiser for and by the local chefs community. This year, the chefs have chosen to support Pivot, a shelter that specializes in housing homeless teens and offer turning point for youth.

Other confirmed chefs include two-time MasterChef contestant Gabriel Lewis, who will collaborate with Elemental Coffee. Vuong Nguyen of Café de l’Asie, and formerly Guernsey Park, is confirmed. So is Bryan Wilson of Scrambl’d and The Flycatcher Club fame. Top Chef season 10 star Joshua Valentine will work morning and evening shifts. Food Network winner and Birdie’s Fried Chicken owner Kevin Lee is pondering a multi-wok approach. Danh Do of Vast has designs on both day and night shifts. Bryan Neel will bring his Hi-Fidelity Burger game. Chris Becker of Della Terra Pasta has never missed the event or failed to sell out.

And those who don’t get down to Ten-Penn for lunch too often can link up with Oklahoma City’s prime Burgermeister, Justin “Nic” Nicholas of Nic’s Grill and Nic’s Place. Nic will be there introducing his new line of pies and cakes. There is also talk of his burger truck be parked close enough to sling some of his baby gourmet burgers. Kamala Gamble and Barb Mock will bring the locally grown goodness that separates Kam’s Kookery from the rest.

Lebanese cuisine will come from Clayton Farhood of Nunu’s Mediterranean, and chef David Sullivan brings the love Rococo is known for. Felix Corelejo, better known as the Tamale King, will arrive seeking fealty. Caleb Stangroom of Bradford House is confirmed.

Chef Sean Cummings will offer food samples from his cookbook and sign copies of it to those who purchase. Waseem Ahmed of Kebabish Bites in Norman brings his expertise in Indian and Pakistani cuisine to the table. Zach and Silvana Walters of Sedalia’s return to Chefs Fest after selling out of ceviche tostadas last year in about 10 minutes.

The list is by no means complete, and I am saving a few surprises for closer to the event. That said, I can tell you Holey Rollers will be involved as will the culinary team from the Paycom Center, chefs and students from our local culinary schools. When the full roster is complete, it’ll be posted here first. Keep an eye on social media for more updates and details.

The event is presented by Super Cao Nguyen Market and Foodiciary. Sponsors include Sun Noodles, Yeo’s USA, Premium Brand Liquors and Republic National Distributing.