The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is back with its annual culinary competitions, the Chef of the Fest and Taco TKO. In this article, we'll unveil the winners of these exciting showdowns and reveal the dishes that wowed the judges and attendees. Get ready to savor the flavors and discover the culinary talents that stole the show at the 2023 San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival.

Chef of the Fest: Jason Witzl Takes Top Honors

Discover the winner of the Chef of the Fest competition and the dish that stole the show.

Chef Jason Witzl of Jolie in Coronado emerged as the champion of the Chef of the Fest competition at the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival. His Shrimp and Melon Salad dish impressed both the judges and the attendees. The combination of poached shrimp, heirloom melon, serrano chili, cucumber, fresh mint, crème fraîche vinaigrette, and crispy quinoa created a refreshing and flavorful bite.

With his victory, Chef Witzl earned the prestigious title of 2023 Chef of the Fest and a cash prize of $5,000. The positive feedback from the crowd about his dish was overwhelming, solidifying its status as a customer favorite at Jolie Coronado.

Taco TKO: Marcus Twilegar Reigns Supreme

Learn about the winner of the Taco TKO competition and the mouthwatering taco that stole the spotlight.

Chef Marcus Twilegar of Palmys Pacific Beach emerged victorious in the Taco TKO competition at the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival. His Ancho Braised Beef taco, featuring pickled tomatillo, avocado, crispy sunchoke, and cilantro, impressed both the judges and the attendees.

With his taco's flavorful combination and creative presentation, Chef Twilegar secured the top spot in both the Judges' Choice and People's Choice categories. His taco will be featured as a special at Palmys until the end of the fall season, allowing more people to savor the winning creation.