Sunday, June 28, 2009 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Albuquerque Convention Center

A day of fun and food, unlike any event Albuquerque has ever seen! Last year six restaurants met the challenge in this "Iron Chef-style" competition, and this year will be even bigger. The Main Event features 10 restaurants in five head-to-head cooking challenges. Winners returning from 2008 include Savoy, Nob Hill Bar & Grill and Flying Star Café, plus seven other top area restaurants. In addition, more than 40 restaurants will be serving free tasting samples of fine food and desserts.

The event is a fundraiser for The Storehouse, New Mexico's largest food bank which has been providing needy Albuquerqueans with food and clothing since 1969.

MAIN EVENT:

In addition to the exciting Main Event, the evening also includes:

SALSA SHOWDOWN, a fresh battle among Albuquerque's top New Mexican restaurants for bragging rights to the yummiest salsa in town. The crowd gets to sample and pick the winning recipe!

THE SKYYVODKAŽ COCKTAIL CIRCLE, with local bartenders putting their mixology and speed skills against each other, followed by free tasting samples of the best concoctions, and tips from mixologists on how to make your home bar rock!

"MEDIACAMOLE" a live duel among local TV, radio and print reporters and anchors to see who makes the best fresh guacamole, with eventgoers deciding the winners.

TOP CATERERS OF ABQ, a special contest to pick the tastiest food from local caterers, with free samples for all. Voting will be done by eventgoers!

FASTEST PB&J IN THE WEST contest, just for kids. The little ones compete to see who can be the quickest to turn peanut butter, jelly and bread into our favorite yummy treat. Prizes to the fastest sandwich-makers in each age group!

General Admission: $35 - ($10 for kids 12-&-under, FREE for kids 5-&under) Includes free tasting of food samples from more than 40 area restaurants and cafes, and ballots to vote in Salsa, Media Guacamole, Top Caterers and SkyyVodka competitions.

Ringside Seats: $60 - Limited seats around perimeter of main competition area. Includes special Swag Bag of goodies, courtesy of Albuquerque The Magazine, and free tasting of food samples from more than 40 area restaurants and cafes, plus ballots to vote in Salsa, Media Guacamole, Top Caterers and SkyyVodka competitions.

Patrón VIP Plaza: $20* - (Must purchase a General Admission or Ringside ticket) Access to VIP area that includes special plate samples of fine food, tasting samples of premium liquors from Southern Wine & Spirits, table seating, and private viewing area of competition. Also includes free tasting of food samples from more than 40 area restaurants and cafes, and ballots to vote in Salsa, Media Guacamole, Top Caterers and SkyyVodka competitions.

Tickets are available at:
• Albuquerque The Magazine (online)
• Satellite Coffee
• Flying Star Cafés

All proceeds benefit The Storehouse of Greater Albuquerque

CHEF Knockout 2008