Last Saturday, November 19th was a foodie paradise at
SoCo Farmers' Market at
The OC Mart Mix /
SoCo Collection in Costa Mesa, California. The
market played host to the second
Farm to Food Truck Challenge - the exciting event where six gourmet food trucks compete for the title of 'Top Chop Truck' by creating delicious dishes using ingredients gathered from the
farmers' market. Their dishes are evaluated by a panel of culinary-expert judges in front of a live audience and a winner is crowned. It was a fantastic day of gourmet mobile cuisine, organic
farmers' market produce, live music and friendly, enthusiastic crowds. Who could ask for more?!
As you've seen here on the
Anne Watson Photo Blog over the past few weeks during our 'Meet the Competitors' series, each of the six competition trucks has their own unique style. Battling for the 'Top Chop Truck' title were
Seabirds (gourmet, 100% plant-based vegan cuisine),
SlapFish (simple, fresh & delicious sustainable seafood),
Taco Maria ('Chicano Cuisine' - a blend of old & new Mexico),
Home Skillet Truck (the seasonal modern American kitchen),
Piaggio Gourmet on Wheels (Orange County's only Argentine food truck) and
The Flip Truck (all-natural gourmet sliders). With this variety and breath of culinary styles covered, we knew it would be an exciting competition!
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| From Left: Chef Coli Piaggio of Piaggio Gourmet on Wheels; Chef Heidi Barrette of The Flip Truck; Chef Andrew Gruel of SlapFish; Chef Carlos Salgado of Taco Maria; Chef Christie Morisoli of Home Skillet Truck; Chef Stephanie Morgan of Seabirds |
Below is a visual tour-through-photos of the day - including some behind-the-scenes action and, of course, plenty of
Anne Watson Photography food photos.
And, if you like what you see, then be sure to head out to the
SoCo Farmers' Market today - November 26th - from 9am - 2pm. There will be plenty of amazing food trucks on-hand, including this round's 'Top Chop Truck',
SlapFish, who will be serving their winning dish, the 'Flight of Seafood', and will even be sharing their secret recipe. Hope to see you all there - today and every Saturday at
SoCo Farmers' Market from 9am - 2pm for gourmet food truck action and plenty of fresh, seasonal organic farm-fresh produce!
Follow Anne Watson Photography on the Web, Facebook and Twitter | Learn more about SoCo Farmers' Market on the Web, Facebook and Twitter
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| And, for those with a salty palette, perfectly-crisped fries from The Flip Truck |
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| Live music sets the mood |
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| Even the canine audience members were having a great time! |
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| The entire Costa Mesa High School Cheer Squad was out, showing their support! |
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| And, they're off! The competition begins as the chefs race through the farmers' market to collect their fresh ingredients |
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| Prepping Brussels Sprouts in the Taco Maria Kitchen |
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| Chef Carlos of Taco Maria, chopping fresh Leeks and perfecting his recipe |
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| Behind-the-scenes with Chef Heidi and the ladies of The Flip Truck |
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| Chef Heidi, prepping farm-fresh leeks in the Flip Truck kitchen |
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| Julie, workin' her magic on the Flip Truck grill |
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| The Flip truck kitchen in action - Home of really, really good sliders |
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| Chef Christie of the Home Skillet truck, preparing a super-fresh arugula-almond pesto |
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| Behind-the-scenes with Eddie and Christie in the Home Skillet Truck kitchen |
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| Eddie Salcedo of the Home Skillet Truck chopping local black apples from the market |
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| The crowds gather as expert foodie, Bobby Navarro of 100eats100days narrates the action |
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| The Judges, from Left: Chef Bridget Bueche of Fixtures Living; Dave Lieberman of OC Weekly; Chris Miller - Local Foodie / Contest Winner; Michael Harris of Mesa & Detroit bar; Gustavo Arellano of OC Weekly; Chef Laurent Brazier of Laguna Culinary Arts |
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| Anais Tangie delivers the first dish by SlapFish - let the judging begin! |
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| Left: the judges dig in!; Right: Local foodie & expert blogger, Sukhraj Beasla of Eat Suki Eat |
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| Anais Tangie delivers dish #3 by the Home Skillet Truck |
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| Stephanie Morgan of Seabirds looks on as her dish is delivered to the judges |
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| Seabirds' delicious vegan dish is delivered to the judges |
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| Chef Laurent Brazier of Laguna Culinary Arts |
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| The chefs look on as the judging takes place. Left: Chef Heidi of The Flip Truck; Center: Chef Carlos of Taco Maria & Chef Coli of Piaggio; Right: Chef Stephanie of Seabirds |
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| Left: Chef Bridget Bueche of Fixtures Living; Right: Michael Harris of Mesa & Detroit Bar |
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| Left: Gustavo Arellano of OC Weekly evaluates; Right: Costa Mesa Cheerleaders look on in anticipation |
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| The Costa Mesa High School Cheer Squad root for the winner |
THE DISHES:
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| THE FLIP TRUCK |
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| HOME SKILLET TRUCK |
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| PIAGGIO GOURMET ON WHEELS |
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| TACO MARIA |
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| SEABIRDS |
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| SLAPFISH |
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| Chef Andrew Gruel accepts First Place and the title of Top Chop Truck for his 'Flight of Seafood' dish: Lobster Doughnut with apple & leek, Seared Scallop with almond butter & brussel leaf salad, and Black Cod with a beet & carrot slaw |
