Heat can't stand up to Oklahoma City's appetite
Chefs Fest 2023 draws record numbers despite record heat
Two 100-degree days later, and I am still buzzing from the outpouring of support for Chefs Fest 2023 at Super Cao Nguyen Market.
Oklahoma City showed its passion for local culinary talent is boundless on Saturday, fending off triple-digit temperatures to help Chefs Fest 2023 collect triple last year’s donations on behalf of Pivot youth services, according to the preliminary numbers.
Despite temperatures that inched near 110 degrees, Oklahoma City diners were ready, willing and hungry when 11 a.m. rolled around Aug. 19.
Two-time James Beard Award semifinalist Chef Jeff Chanchaleune of Ma Der Lao Kitchen was under the Sun Noodle tent when the festival started. He was slinging red curry over Udon noodles while next-door miracle chef Rachel Foster of Moni’s Pasta and Pizza served Ginger-Garlic marinara over Soba noodles.
Lines were longest for Tabb Singleton’s Hawaiian Shoyu Pork Belly over cold Sesame Noodles and Bulgogi Beef Bologna Sliders. Good thing because he traveled farthest to serve. Not far behind were the lines for Florence’s Restaurant, winner of Oklahoma’s first-ever James Beard Award in 2022. Good thing she was just coming from down the street because demand for Victoria Kemp’s macaroni and cheese was such she ran out in under an hour and had to run back to the restaurant to make more! Chefs Tuck and Zack Curren, who owns Trenchers Delicatessen in Tulsa, served Chicken Tawook sandwiches in the afternoon.
Chef Jonas Favela of Stock & Bond was first to sell out with his smoked strip loin. Chef Kevin Lee of Birdie’s Fried Chicken put on the biggest show with his triple-wok attack making Tteokbokki.
The Beard Foundation’s reigning Best Chef Southwest arrived at 1 p.m. with chefs Dylan Morgan and Kendra Madden, representing Black Walnut. Mayor David Holt arrived not long after.
The heat was oppressive, but covered seating and bottles of water and cans of Yeo’s beverages came to the rescue of diners. They had help from free sake and Sapporo samples and the Orion beer garden.
Despite the heat, Chefs Fest came off without a hitch and will return in 2023.
A gargantuan “thank you” to all on behalf of Super Cao Nguyen, the Luong family, and our sponsors at Thirst Wine Merchants, Handcrafted Wines, Premium Brand Liquors, Ben E. Keith, Sapporo and Sun Noodle, a massive thank you to everyone who showed up in support of the 405 diningscape’s finest talent and Pivot.
Finally, a massive thanks to the Luong family, who not only own the market where the event was hosted but endured the parking headaches and cleanup that comes with an undertaking of this magnitude. Despite that, the Luongs even found time to pop-up their premium shaved ice stand inside the store.
Here’s a few moments captured during Chefs Fest.
Go!
I’ll have some news and nuggets on Wednesday, in the meantime here’s a list of upcoming foodcentric events for your consideration:
Taste of Asia Festival, Aug. 26 at Mayfair Church of Christ, 2340 NW 50th St., from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The Asia Society of Oklahoma puts on the event to raise money for its annual scholarship. Tickets are $15 for kids 5 to 10; all others are $20. Admission is free for kids under 5. Food Tasting operates 5.30 to 7 p.m.
Thirst For a Cause, Aug. 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 4040 N Lincoln Blvd. Wine-O’s unite to raise money for a food-service professional facing medical challenges not covered by insurance. It’s the 14th iteration of the event, which also takes place in Tulsa. The event draws about 30 premium wineries and about 200 wines along with 10 local restaurants for light bites. Guests can meet and interact with vintners who represent some of the best wines available in the nation. Tickets and more information can be found here
The India Food and Art Festival, Sept. 10 from 3 to 9 p.m. at Scissortail Park. Hosted by the India Association of Oklahoma, the festival will features food, clothing , jewelry and stalls representing cultures from different regions of India. Dance dominates the entertainment, including Bollywood, classical temple dances, and folk dance. Live music will accompany those along with a fashion show. The festival will also include artists and a kids zone.