Capital Food Fight returns to The Anthem on Thursday, November 9th! While guests enjoy tasty bites from more than 75 restaurants, four of DC’s rising stars will be battling it out in head-to-head culinary challenges on stage for an all-star panel of celebrity judges.
Before the starting bell rings, let’s get to know this year’s battling chefs:
Chef Ria Montes – Estuary
Raised in a large Filipino family, Ria developed her love for food and passion for cooking while learning the ropes alongside her aunties and cousins. Ria is a graduate of The French Culinary Institute. As Chef de Cuisine at Estuary, she has developed a unique approach to cooking based on the notion that creating good food doesn’t necessarily come with parameters, she relies on creativity and instinct to let the ingredients shine in unexpected ways. Watch her video to find out what skills and strategies she plans to bring to this year’s battle!
Ed Reavis – All Set Restaurant & Bar
Chef Ed brings a taste of diverse regional flavors to Montgomery County. Born in a small Virginia town, his main focus is connecting with his community and creating lasting memories. The chef & owner of All Set Restaurant & Bar, Money Muscle BBQ, and Fryer’s Roadside, was honored in 2021 with Greater Silver Spring’s Chamber of Commerce Rising Star Award and contributes to many important and local causes. Check out his video to learn more about how Ed plans to bring his signature spice to the battling stage.
Carlos Camacho- dLeña
Growing up in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, Chef Carlos remembers sitting on the sink while helping his mother in the kitchen, which is where he learned the skills and confidence to guide himself and those around him in the kitchen. In 2021, he was named the Executive Chef of dLeña where he represents the rich traditions of Mexican Cuisine. Under his direction, the restaurant was featured in the 2022 edition of the MICHELIN Guide DC and named a Best of Modern Luxury DC Award Winner 2022. Watch Chef Carlos’ video to see what culinary tricks he has up his sleeves!
Rachel Bindel – Gravitas
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, Rachel finds that the magic of cooking isn’t confined to the kitchen. It’s about bringing people together, building connections, and forging memories that last a lifetime. She does this well as the Chef de Cuisine of Gravitas, where every dish she creates is designed to tell a delicious story. In 2022, she was recognized by San Pellegrino as one of the top ten best young chefs in America. Discover how she plans to tackle our secret ingredients in the video below.
If you haven’t purchased your tickets to this year’s raucous culinary showdown, don’t wait! Buy yours today at capitalfoodfight.org. All proceeds benefit DC Central Kitchen’s ongoing work to fight poverty & hunger through job training and job creation, using food as a tool to strengthen bodies, empower minds, and build communities here in the District of Columbia.
We’ll see you on November 9th!