Riviera Magazine’s To Live and Dine Chef’s Challenge

Picture this: It’s Thursday at around 3:30 P.M. in Hollywood CA. you’ve been up since 6:00 A.M. and the end of your workday is winding down. You get a call from a good friend to come to an event about 30 miles away in Costa Mesa (which is an easy 2 hour drive from where you are currently sitting) for a tasting event featuring the top chefs of the Orange County area. You’re tired, it’s been a long week and traffic in LA is seriously a nightmare. So what do you do? Well I’ll tell you what I did-I hopped in my car, and cranked up my favorite station on Pandora and got down to  “Riviera Magazine’s To Live and Dine Chef’s Challenge” as fast as I could.

With 15 of the OC’s top chefs, restaurants, home retail brands, food enthusiasts, interior designers, and affluent readers the live and dine chef’s challenge was worth every minute of that 2 hour drive. From the beautiful setting of the South Coast Plaza attendees were able to freely taste some of the most deliciously creative cuisine I have ever gotten my hands on and vote for their favorite dish. Congratulations to this year’s winner March Johnson of the Oak Grill & Aqua Lounge. He got my vote purely based on his wonderful rendition of a butter cake with a carmel base and pineapple garnish. The dessert was perfectly rich and light in a way that I’ve never tasted and deserved every accolade. If you’re ever in the Orange County area the event is $20.00 and worth every penny and maybe more! There were signature drinks, a live DJ and really wonderful people to mingle with. The night was truly fantastic!

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment!