MEET THE 2022 WINNERS!

CHAD CLEVENGER
La Menonita En El Molcajete
Appetizer
$5,000

CLAUD BELTRAN
Grilled Panela And Eggplant
Entrée
$5,000

MARCO COLIN
Winter Corn
Dessert
$5,000
MEET OUR JUDGES
The winner of 2017 Best Chef: Southwest James Beard Foundation Awards started with very humble beginnings. Hugo Ortega was raised in Mexico City and Puebla and learned his love of cooking from…

An award-winning, San Diego-based chef and culinary entrepreneur known for her fearless style and bold approach to regional Mexican cuisine. A celebrated culinary anthropologist, Zepeda draws upon 20+ years…
INAUGURAL EVENT TO SHOWCASE INNOVATIVE CAL-MEX CREATIONS FOR A CHANCE AT OVER $22,000 IN PRIZES
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) is hosting a new culinary competition for professionals celebrating the culinary fusion of California and Mexican cuisines – the CAL-MEX Invitational.
A select group of professional chefs will be invited to submit Cal-Mex recipes covering three courses with a focus on showcasing the innovative use of Hispanic-style Real California Cheese and dairy in each dish.
A panel of expert judges will select the top two recipes in each category, and the winning chefs will be invited to the cook-off final at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia in Napa, Calif. on Aug. 3, 2022.