by Ari Roth
The food and beer event of the summer has arrived. Part of Brewery Ommegang’s HopChef competition, the best of the best chefs in the city will compete to create meals that incorporate and combine with beer, battling it out for the opportunity to advance in the competition and become Philly champions. It will be exciting to watch for any beer and food lover, but it gets better: for the price of one ticket, you can also taste the results, which will undoubtedly be a treat.
The 3rd annual HopChef Philly will feature eight formidable chefs, and with competition this close, the only sure winner will be your tastebuds. Chad Vetter will be representing City Tap House, quite possibly the best craft beer bar in Philadelphia. James Kenngott will step up for Strangelove’s, a top restaurant that features flawless, Philly-approved food, great burgers and one of the best beer lists in town. Not to be outdone, Townsend Wentz, namesake of the restaurant Townsend, will prepare a French-inspired dish to wow the judges. Jennifer Choplin will be bringing her A-game for the Dock Street Brewing Company, the legendary Philadelphia pub and brewery that unquestionably knows their beer.
Next up are the brothers Justin and Jonathan Petruce, owners of petruce et al., an inviting, wood hearth-based restaurant that also places a premium on its unique lineup of wine and beer. Jeremy Nolan, of both the brand new Whetstone and Brauhaus Schmitz’ authentic, uncompromisingly delicious German food will step up to the plate for his shot at the title. Finally, two Asian food experts will be featured: Travis Masar, responsible for Sampan’s “modern Asian street flavors” and the food and beer behind Independence Beer Garden, and Ben Puchowitz, of the new, dim sum-centric Bing Bing and the legendary Cheu Noodle Bar.
HopChef Philly will take place this Tuesday, July 6th. It will be held at Union Transfer, located at 1026 Spring Garden Street. You can enter starting at 6 PM and the big event will begin at 7PM. Tickets are only $41 in advance, including the opportunity to sample the contestants’ outstanding creations, so buy them now here!
