Pro Chefs To Judge Hyde Park Apartment Chef Cook-Off

CHICAGO, IL — Amateur chefs will display their best dishes in front of a panel of professionals who will judge them in the first-ever Hyde Park Apartment Chef Cook-Off, an event planned for Saturday, August 18 at the Regus Hyde Park.

The grand prize winner will receive a $200 Jewel gift card. and earn the title of the "Top Apartment Chef" in the neighborhood. The event is part of the Chicago Tribune Food Bowl, a series of food-focused events occurring across the city throughout August.

The event is sponsored and hosted by Moon Meals, a Hyde Park-based maker of vegan, plant-based grab-and-go meals. that provides plant-based meals containing proprietary vegan meats, cheeses and sauces to major retailers and food service operators. The company has been featured in the "grab & go" delis of Chicago-area major retailers like Jewel-Osco.

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Moon Meals Founder and Executive Chef LaForce Baker will be one of four professional chefs who will judge the competition. Baker, an independent brand strategist, marathon runner and professional speaker, created Moon Meals in 2012. Prior to that he overcame obesity and helped bring to market new concepts in national grocery chains for large companies.

Other local chefs judging the competition will be James Martin, the former executive chef at A10; Lamar Moore, executive chef at Currency Exchange Cafe and Carlos Cruz, executive chef at The Promontory.

The event will begin at noon on August at at the Regus, located at 5113 S. Harper Ave. Tickets are $10 for competitors and $15 for attendees. Event goers can watch the friendly competition, sample the chef’s dishes and enjoy complimentary food and beverages from Moon Meals.

Photos: Four professional chefs will judge the "Top Apartment Chef" competition. From left: LaForce Baker, founder of Moon Meals; James Martin, former executive chef at A10; Lamar Moore, executive chef at Currency Exchange Cafe and Carlos Cruz, executive chef at The Promontory / Photos provided