Each year the greatest Chefs come together competing for the top honor and all for a great cause. Hosted by Peltzer Winery in Temecula, save the date for the 18th Annual So-Cal Chef Open benefiting Oak Grove Center is Monday, August 11, 2025 starting at 6:30 PM.
Past participating Chefs have been featured in several lifestyle magazines, television, local newspapers and received coverage from influential food critics and bloggers. Growing in popularity and reputation, the Chef Open is a chance to taste the finest our area has to offer and meet some of your favorite Chefs.
CHEF ENTRY INFORMATION
Past Competitors & Participants:
- **Executive Chef Mario Amaral with Savage Chef Bar & Grill (2022 & 2023 Pinnacle Winner)
**Executive Chef Justin Mabunay with Urbn Market Fusion - **Chef Nana Michelle Ann Montoya with Nana’s Tamales – Catering by Michelle Ann (2022 & 2023 People’s Choice Winner)
- Executive Chef Taylor Israelsen with Avensole Winery
- **Executive Chef Steve Bearse,with New Life Culinary Creations
- Chef Keion “KT” Taylor with EaT 310 Catering
- Chef Steven Moore, Trendy Chef and Battered Up
- Chef Daniel Johnson with Naughty Pig Butchery
- Pitmaster/Chef Robert Johns, OLD MAN GRILLIN’ and The Chain Smokers
- Executive Chef Michel Malecot, The French Gourmet
- Executive Chef Chris Gimeno, Corbeaux Wine & Tea House
- **Chef Rosie O’Connor
- **Executive Chef Matthew Steffen with Cork Fire Kitchen
- **Chef Justin Mabunay with Urbn Market Fusion
- **Executive Chef Dylan Soro, Soro’s Mediterranean Grill
- Executive Chef Taylor Israelson with Avensole Winery
- **Chef de Cuisine Armando Cota with Avensole Winery
- Chef Giampi Giammanco Il Tramonto Ristorante
- Chef Daniel Johnson with Naughty Pig Butcher Shop & Encased Meats
- Chef Keion KT Taylor with EaT 310 Catering
- Owner, Pit Master and Executive Chef Al Borda with HoBo’s BBQ
- Celebrity Chef Aaron May with HoBo’s BBQ Team
- District Chef Toby Traeger with HoBo’s BBQ Team
- Chef Angel Tapia with Tap’s Taco Catering
- Chef Luis Ortega with Burgers & Beer Temecula
- Chef Kevin Grant with Oak Mountain Winery
- Chef Andy Churchill with 8 bit Brewing Company
- Chef Pete Lent with Pete’s Firehouse BBQ
- Chef Martin Corso with The Chef’s GrilleChef Rachel Siripakdi with Bamboo House Asian Bistro