Trifecta Cooks Win Inaugural Bay Area Foodie Event

From Eastridge Center: Results are in from the Taste for the Space culinary competition hosted by Silicon Valley’s second largest retail destination, Eastridge Center. Ownership Pacific Retail announced today Trifecta Cooks winner of the inaugural Bay Area foodie event. Trifecta Cooks earns an equipped eatery space at Eastridge Center with six months free rent and a $50,000 investment to kick off this new hot spot – a total prize package worth $140,000.

Taste for the Space was held May 13 at Eastridge Center and event partners included Joseph George Fine Wines, Camino Brewing and Content Magazine. “We had about 1,500 people show up,” says Eastridge Center general manager John Peterson. “The community loved the live music performances and opportunity to try so many types of food from local chefs.” Fourteen San Jose competitors were selected to show the crowd why their taste should win the space. Set-up much like a food festival, the crowd tasted the competitors’ signature dishes then used text messaging to vote for their favorite. This community voice, along with a panel of judges, selected Trifecta Cooks as the first Eastridge Taste for the Space winner.

Trifecta Cooks consists of three friends who met during their time at well-known Morimoto Napa. Lai Chao, Ryan Gallego and Jason Artajos have a shared passion for Japanese cuisine and look to perfect their craft. Trifecta Cooks focuses on using quality local ingredients with traditional techniques and modern flavors, including sushi and small plates. “Our redevelopment of the center this year focuses on local San Jose stories and experiences,” says Najla Kayyem, senior vice president of marketing for ownership Pacific Retail. “Trifecta Cooks is a great match for Eastridge Center and I’m thrilled to welcome them.” Trifecta Cooks currently operates as a private catering company based out of San Jose while hosting pop-ups in San Francisco through Feastly and private events throughout the Bay Area.

Image Courtesy of Eastridge Center