Chef Battle - Albacore - July 2014




My foodie / food event friend, Kristie Hang, mentioned
she was asked to judge a chef competition for charity.

The competition will be at Scott's Restaurant in Costa Mesa,
I had met Executive Chef Michael Doctulero
so I knew it would be great and needed to invite myself.


 Beautiful Plumeria trees as you enter the restaurant.


Chef Michael says there are about 10 Plumeria trees.

You won't see these colors on the mainland.  
Now for the Chef Competition
Kitchen Stadium
(aka Scott's Restaurant) 


Tonight's Main Ingredient

Albacore!


(L) Chef Aron Habiger from Northleft and 
Chef de Cuisine from Scott's Restaurant 

Allez Cuisine!

Breaking down the albacore.


Chef Aron Habiger
of Northleft in Santa Ana 
is now plating.

 See What Jay Eats...

Chef Aron Habiger's Albacore

There's nothing better than a good piece of
fish with seasonings that accent the flavor.
This was very good!
The Judges Table

Who's cuisine reigns supreme?


While we waited for the next dish,
we sampled Scott's Restaurant's
mac and cheese.

It was cheesy good...


Scott's Restaurant team
now plating their dish


Albacore Trio
from Scott's Restaurant

3 albacore preparations on one plate
with seared albacore with an asparagus spring roll,
black truffle vinaigrette & chia sauce.

The sauces were very good and nice use of texture,
another good plate!


And the winner is... 

 Regardless of who won, it was a great night
meeting a couple of Santa Ana chefs
who are using local farms and sustainable seafood sources.
Proceeds went to charity.

Chef Jason Montelibano (Chapter One: The Modern Local), 
Kristie Hang (tonight's judge), Chef Aron Habiger (Northleft)   

 Will be stopping by their restaurants soon...stay tuned.
Who knows, maybe Kristie will have a restaurant open soon too.  


Photo Courtesy of Kristie Hang
Executive Chef Michael Doctulero of Scott's
Restaurant didn't compete tonight due to an injury.

Mahalo for being a great host!



 Scott's Restaurant
3300 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-979-2400
Check with the restaurant on future chef competitions
(last Monday of the month during the summer)
Follow them on Facebook to get the event update
and after seeing their pictures, you'll want to go.

 Tasting the competition dishes is only $15
(money raised goes to charity)
Thank You!
Chef Michael Doctulero
Kristie Hang
Scott's Restaurant



Epilogue:  The Scott's Restaurant Team won

Photos by Jay Terauchi
unless noted
Jay Eats Worldwide
©Jay Terauchi

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