Henry’s Louisiana Grill owner/chef to battle for local dish supremacy in the Chef’s Taste Challenge 2016
Chef Henry Chandler of Henry’s Louisiana Grill is thrilled to have been chosen as one of 10 participants in the National Chef’s Taste Challenge 2016, part of the Farm to Table Experience (F2Te) event. The competition will take place August 19 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The goal of the competition is to showcase the significance of the farm-to-table philosophy, a cooking movement that emphasizes locally sourced ingredients. Locavores, those that prefer locally grown or produced food, tend to be especially interested in food and eating trends, so the event enables chefs at the forefront of the farm-to-table approach to share their favorite dishes with enthusiastic judges and diners.
Chandler was selected by the Farm to Table Chef’s Challenge Committee, who chose finalists from geographical regions across the United States to compete in creating the very best dish using farm-fresh ingredients donated by state agricultural departments. All profits will support the Farm to Table Experience and the National Farm to Table Alliance.
Chef Henry is a great fit for this competition as he uses locally sourced ingredients every day in his restaurant.
“Growing up in Louisiana, my Nanny Castell taught me all about cooking with the fresh foods gathered on my family’s farm. It’s a gift that I’ve made a mission to share with others,” Chandler said. “That’s why we use local farm-to-table ingredients in our dishes at the restaurant. We have Mama J’s hydroponic lettuce from Cartersville in all of our salads. Our delicious beef comes from Southern River Farms in Augusta. And the grits in our popular Louisiana Shrimp & Grits come from Logan Turnpike Mill in Blairsville. There’s so much flavor and freshness to be had right here, from Georgia growers!”
Candidates for the competition had to solicit online votes to support their application, via likes and shares. Chef Henry generated more than any other chef, with over 4,000 likes and 3,000 shares from his large group of loyal Facebook followers. Henry’s Louisiana Grill currently has over 25,000 Facebook likes, which may be the highest of any independent restaurant in the Metro-Atlanta area.
“This event is going to be electric and offer an exciting way to spread the farm-to-table message of local eating,” Chandler said. “I hope to see some familiar faces in the crowd and look forward to meeting new chefs, making new friends and sharing my love of Georgia-grown ingredients!”
If you would like to support Chef Henry and be a part of the Farm to Table Experience, you can purchase tickets at http://chefstastechallenge.com/tickets/.
About Henry’s Louisiana Grill
Henry’s Louisiana Grill, which debuted in 2000, is an award-winning community gathering place with local and national acclaim. The menu is designed by award-winning Chef Henry Chandler, sparked by the Southern-inspired food he loved and prepared with his Nanny Castell as a child. With an emphasis on world-class hospitality and dishes using the finest ingredients, Henry’s Southern comfort cooking has people driving cross-country just for a taste.
Henry’s Louisiana Grill is located at 4835 N Main St, Acworth, GA 30101. For more information, please visit www.chefhenrys.com or find us on Facebook.
About the Chef’s Taste Challenge
A panel of judges from the culinary world will select their top two favorite dishes out of the 10 created by the competing chefs. The judges will be looking for the best dish to incorporate fresh farm-to-table ingredients and will judge on taste, creativity and presentation. The top two dishes according to the judging will receive the Gold and Silver Chef’s Taste Challenge awards. A People’s Choice award will also be announced based on the voting from members of the public in attendance. All 10 chefs will receive participation in the Taste Challenge dinner and national recognition. Awards will be presented to the Gold, Silver and People’s Choice winners. Any profits will support the Farm to Table Experience and the National Farm to Table Alliance.
