Rohnert Park has answered the eternal question of “Where’s the beef?” It was found on the southeast end of the city in the 28th annual National Beef Cookoff Monday evening at Sonoma Mountain Village.
About 100 people gathered to watch the competition, the first time the Beef Cookoff has hosted a local chef challenge as part of its event. Food writers, critics and media from all over the country made up most of the group. Chefs were judged on overall taste, creativity and presentation.
The contest began in January with a “Taste of Sonoma” theme. Six Bay Area chefs were chosen based on recipes submitted to a panel of judges.
Cookoff winner chef Carlo Cavallo was executive chef and proprietor of Meritage Martini Oyster Bar and Grille in Sonoma. His mustard and lavender encrusted ribeye took top honors.
Cavallo began his career in 1990 as a pastry chef in Milan. He returned to California in 1993 and was named Best New Chef of the year in 1994 by Los Angeles Magazine. In 1999, he opened Meritage, which many consider one of the wine country’s best restaurants.
For Cavallo this was his first foray into this type of competition. “I have done the Iron Chef competition,” he said, “But I chose to participate in this one because of the Sonoma theme.”
Other competitors included Erica Holland-Toll (Ducca), Jonathan Clemons (Capitol Garage), Thomas Odermatt (Roli Roti Gourmet Rotisserie), Carlo Cavallo (Meritage), Korina McAlister (Handler/Culinary Director Guy Fieri.com; The Cloven Rose) and James Stolich (CookWithJames.com).
The final two days of competition are held at The Lodge in Sonoma, where the final competitors will compete for their share of $70,000 in cash. The overall winner will be crowned the “Best of Beef” and will be awarded $25,000. Sherry Hill of the American National Cattle Women’s Association set up this event.
The local chefs were competing for prizes totaling approximately $5,000.