Epic Chef Showdown Spotlight: Noble Crust vs. Armani’s
This Monday, July 31st, the Epic Chef Showdown continues! Each week chefs from the best restaurants in Tampa Bay battle it out in the Epicurean Theatre. Given a mystery box full of unusually paired ingredients, the chefs have to think on their feet to create the perfect dish; all while being timed in front of a live audience (not stressful at all). Last week we watched Rooster & the Till and Ava battle it out. The chefs were tasked with creating the crowd pleasing, award winning first course out of imitation krab meat and pepperoni and the second course out of flank steak and nori! Sous Chef Brandon Weiss from Ava was crowned winner of the third round and will move on to the semifinals!
This upcoming Monday, chefs from Noble Crust in Wesley Chapel and Armani’s at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay will compete in the fourth round of Epic Chef Showdown. I asked the head chefs and competing chefs of this week’s restaurants a few questions about the upcoming showdown, here’s what they had to say:
Who is the competing chef and why did you nominate this chef?
Noble Crust: Colin Reinsmith and I have been working together for 18 years. I got him his first job washing dishes at the restaurant I was working at in high school. Since then, he has worked in New York City and spent the last five years as a chef in Montreal. He moved back down to Florida to work with me as the Chef de Cuisine of Noble Crust, Wesley Chapel. I chose him to compete because I know he’s going to win; not only because of his talent but his ability to stay calm and focused under pressure….and because he’s my little brother!
Armani’s: My name is Robert L. Maggi Jr. and I chose to compete in the Epic Chef Showdown. I have been working for Hyatt for nine and a half years.
What got you interested in working with Feeding Tampa Bay?
Noble Crust: Working with Feeding Tampa Bay is an honor. Food is something we are incredibly passionate about and its rewarding to nourish those in need in our community. What goes around comes around.
Armani’s: The opportunity to give back to the community; that has given me so much.
What part of Epic Chef Showdown are you most excited about?
Noble Crust: I can’t wait to see my brother shine. Win or lose, either way I’m super proud of all he’s accomplished.
Armani’s: I am most exited just to see the dishes myself and what the fellow chefs will come up with on the fly because that is when I believe we are at our most creative.
Tickets are sold out for this event, but you can join the waitlist here. Still want in on the action? Join us in the Epicurean Library Lounge for a watch party or watch from home on our live stream. Don’t forget; there are still five more Epic Chef Showdowns for you to watch live and you can buy tickets here!
To learn more about our sponsors and judges, visit EpicChefTampaBay.com
