When Top Chef Masters season five premieres Wednesday, July 24, on Bravo, Miami will have someone to root for.
Chef Richard Sandoval, the man behind Toro Toro at the InterContinental Miami, will pit his skills against a dozen other big names in the culinary world to win money for their preferred charity and the title of Top Chef Master. Chef Sandoval is playing for C-CAP (Careers Through Culinary Arts Program).
See also: Toro Toro Charges Into Downtown Miami
Sandoval will compete against some formidable opponents including Sue Zemanick, the executive chef of Gautreau's Restaurant in New Orleans who was nominated for five James Beard awards and named one of 2008's top ten best new chefs by Food & Wine; David Burke, whose restaurant empire includes David Burke Townhouse, David Burke at Bloomingdale's, David Burke Fishtail, and David Burke Kitchen in New York City; and Bryan Voltaggio, a James Beard finalist and breakout star of Top Chef season six who is chef/owner of four restaurants including Volt, Lunchbox, Family Meal, and Range.
New to this season of Top Chef Masters is the Battle of the Sous Chefs, an online competition where sous chefs will compete on behalf of their master chefs. Chef Sandoval's rep is Greg Howe, who oversees the food and beverage operations at all of Sandoval's operations. Howe's charity is also C-CAP.
To celebrate chefs Sandoval and Howe, Toro Toro is hosting a viewing party at the restaurant's bar on Wednesday, July 24. Beginning at 10 p.m., guests are invited to cheer Sandoval on to victory while sipping on a complimentary cocktail hand crafted by head mixologist Matthew Phillips (one free drink per person).
From the Bravo promo, we're in for lots of celebrity sightings, Mexican wrestling, and the cast of Yo Gabba Gabba! (And, oh yeah, some cooking.)
Follow Laine Doss on Twitter @LaineDoss and Facebook.
Follow Short Order on Facebook, on Twitter @Short_Order, and Instagram @ShortOrder.