ALBANY, NY -- Dominqiue Brialy, executive chef of The Epicurean Bistro & Wine Bar in suburban Latham, emerged on top from a cookoff involving five local chefs vying for a spot in the lineup for next year's "Wine & Dine for the Arts" gala dinner.
The Saturday test, billed as the "Signature Invitational Competition," was part of this year's "Wine & Dine for the Arts" held at the Albany Hilton.
Brialy's competition was Giovanni S. Morina of Gio Culinary Studio, Jason Baker of the Wine Bar and Bistro and Ryan Huneau of the Mallozzi Group/Treviso at the Italian Club, all in Albany, and Rachel Mabb of The Rensselaer Banquet & Conference Facility in Troy.
Each had an hour to cook an appetizer and main course using common pantry staples and three secret ingredients: scallop, shrimp and chicken.
On Friday evening, a "Slider Slam" got the festival started, with Angelo's Prime Bar & Grill, a new restaurant in Clifton Park, taking top people's choice honors. Its entry was the Chimi Truck slider, a take on a popular Manhattan food truck sandwich.
A.J. Jayapal of the Mallozzi Group won most creative honors from the judges for his turkey slider with pickled onion, cilantro and Miss Sydney’s sauce.
Wine & Dine for the Arts is a fundraiser for the arts groups Park Playhouse, Albany Symphony, Albany Barn, Albany Center Gallery and Capital Repertory Theatre.
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