Haute Event: Two of Emeril Lagasse’s Chefs Face Off in the Culinary Clash Finals

The Venetian and Palazzo kicked off round two of the second annual Culinary Clash Master Chef Competition at Doge’s Palace on Saturday night. Eight chefs who won on Friday night faced off with Emeril Lagasse serving as one of the judges and Robin Leach as the host. Each chef was asked to create a dish from ingredients found moments before in a “mystery basket,” which were then prepared in mobile “food truck” kitchens.

Two of Lagasse’s own chefs battled it out in the finals. Tim Doolittle of Table 10 went on to win the title of Master Chef, facing off in the final “smack down” against Ronnie Rainwater of Delmonico Steak. The ingredients used in the final challenge included King crab, black garlic, fava beans and Spanish chorizo.

In addition, Masters of Mixology, a decidedly spirited competition among resort bartenders hosted by master mixologist Dale Degroff, also returned to battle out the last three rounds of the competition. Teams fronted by Tony Abou-Ganim and Francesco Lafranconi contended in a mystery basket challenge, speed contest and the match final. Team Abou-Ganim and The Mod Mixers came back from a huge deficit to win.

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