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Chef of Chefs

Competition

Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase participating chefs, will vie for the coveted $5,000 cash prize and Chef of Chefs Award.
Chef of Chefs 2026 Winner

2026 Chef of Chefs Award Winner

Chef Mary Bass captured the coveted Chef of Chefs title and a $5,000 cash prize in one of the region’s most prestigious culinary competitions. Chef Mary Bass impressed judges with her Jumbo Gulf Mojo Shrimp- black bean puree and Oaxacan sesame sauce with tomatillo and cotija—a dish which delivered culinary finesse.

2026 1st Runner Up

Chef Paul Friedman of The Chef’s Table

Sticky Pork Belly- Seared pork belly with a sticky guava sauce, and carrot ginger purée.

2026 2nd Runner Up

Chef Beatriz Martínes of Xalisco

Pulpo Maya- Grilled Spanish octopus marinated in achiote adobo, served with sikil pak (a traditional Mayan pumpkin seed paste), charred habanero pearls, and a hoja santa–infused tortilla, accompanied by a fire-charred habanero sauce.

2026 People's Choice Dessert

Pastry Chef Diego Palacios of Marriott Resort Aruba Stellaris Casino

Coconut based desert

PAST Chef of Chefs Winners

All 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
2026 Chef Of Chefs Winner
Chef Mary Bass
Galveston, TX
2026 1st Runner Up
Paul Friedman, The Chef’s Tab
Houston, TX
2026 2nd Runner Up
Beatriz Martínes, Xalisco
The Woodlands, TX
2026 People's Choice Dessert
Diego Palacios, Marriott Resort
Aruba
2025 Chef Of Chefs Winner
Edgar Morales, Del Frisco's Grill
The Woodlands, TX
2025 1st Runner Up
Richard Huber, Swift & Company
Houston, TX
2025 2nd Runner Up
Ever De Pena, Ever Restaurant
Aruba
2025 People's Choice Dessert
Kady Miller, Alchemy Bake Lab
Katy, TX
2024 Chef Of Chefs Winner
Nancy Manlove, Puff
Houston, TX
2024 1st Runner Up
David Guerrero, Andes Café
Houston, TX
2024 2nd Runner Up
Richard Huber, Swift & Company
Houston, TX
2023 Chef Of Chefs Winner
Chef Masaru Fukuda, Pacha Nikkei
Houston, TX
2023 1st Runner Up
Chef Alex Au-Yeung, Phat Eatery
Katy, TX
2023 2nd Runner Up
Chef Urvin Croes, Infini
Aruba
2022 Chef Of Chefs Winner
Daisuke Igataki, Shimogamo
Chandler, AZ
2022 1st Runner Up
Chef Urvin Croes, Infini
Aruba
2022 2nd Runner Up
David Skinner, Eculent
Kemah, TX
2019 Chef of Chefs Winner
Brandon Silva, Wooster’s Garden
Houston, TX
2019 1st Runner Up
Carlos Ramos, Latin Bites
Houston, TX
2019 2nd Runner Up
Jesse Cavazos, Nick's Fish Dive & Oyster Bar
The Woodlands, TX
2018 Chef of Chefs Winner
David Morris, Robard’s Steakhouse
The Woodlands, TX
2018 Just Desserts Winner
Ryan Witcher, Robard’s Steakhouse
The Woodlands, TX
2018 1st Runner Up
Laurent Godbout, Chez L'Épicier
Palm Beach, FL
2018 2nd Runner Up
Carlos Ramos, Latin Bites
Houston, TX
2017 Chef of Chefs Winner
Hassan Obaye, La Table
Houston, TX
2017 Just Desserts Winner
Michael Gaddy, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, The Woodlands, TX
2017 1st Runner Up
Santiago de la Cruz, The Woodlands Country Club
The Woodlands, TX
2017 2nd Runner Up
Jesse Cavazos, Cru Food & Wine Bar
The Woodlands, TX
2016 Chef Of Chefs Winner
Carlos Ramos, Latin Bites
Houston, TX
2016 Just Desserts Winner
Miguel Gutierrez, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott
The Woodlands, TX
2016 1st Runner Up
Santiago de la Cruz, The Woodlands Country Club
The Woodlands, TX
2016 2nd Runner Up
Hassan Obaye, La Table
Houston, TX
2015 Chef of Chefs Winner
Kris Jakob, Kris Bistro and Wine Lounge
Houston, TX
2015 Just Desserts Winner
Kyle Evans, Bob's Steak & Chop House
The Woodlands, TX
2015 1st Runner Up
Ja'Nel Witt, Chef Corner Table
Houston, TX
2015 2nd Runner Up
John Brazie, The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center, The Woodlands, TX