Meet the Chefs
Meet the 2016 Chefs
Featuring our returning champions!
Danielle Flaherty
RETURNING CHAMP
The Judges' Choice
Grand Champion
Stone's Throw Chef Instructor
Growing up in Anchorage I was fortunate to be exposed to great food from an early age. Some families go to sporting events together, mine went to nice restaurants. When I was suddenly a college student paying for my own food, I couldn't afford to eat like that. So I decided I better learn to cook myself.
I love working with anything grown, harvested, or produced in Alaska. The abundance of summer is great fun, but finding ways to preserve and continue cooking with local ingredients well into winter is the real treat. Knowing the people who raised or grew the ingredients makes it even more special. If I had to sum up my culinary philosophy, "Do what you can, where you're at, with what you have. It doesn't have to be all or nothing." If you can get one Alaska ingredient into every meal, I consider that a win.
Jeff Oden
RETURNING CHAMP
The Peoples' Choice
Owner, Head Chef
Big Daddy’s BBQ
A couple years ago a buddy and I decided to enter the Alaska State BBQ Championships. We had been making brisket all along in our backyard for we bought an extra smoker for the event and ended up taking 3rd place for both brisket and sauce.
The idea of buying Big Daddy’s first came up more than a year ago. Harold (Groetsema) got in touch with me because he’d judged my brisket. He said it was awesome. He wanted to get out of the restaurant business. Now Steve and Julie Moody are our partners.
In the summer, we are overrun with tourists, but in the winter we want to focus on Fairbanks. When we had the food truck, we used to take any leftovers downtown and feed the homeless. We don’t just want to take. We want to give back.
NEW SAVORY CHEFS
Marshal James
Frostbite Foods
Winner of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Readers' Choice award for Best Food Truck. Frostbite Foods is a small, local, family owned and operated business in Fairbanks, AK. Their chips are gluten free and made with white corn, while their our unique salsas are made with all fresh, natural ingredients.
Chef James has always been interested in cooking great food for friends and family, especially food made with fresh ingredients. He also has a curiosity about local Alaskan seafood options and how to best prepare them. "We feel honored to be invited to this competition. Our biggest challenge is that we have three events on that day! We are most excited to have exposure to those that have yet to learn about Frostbite Foods and our menu."
Nicholas Coleman
Between the Buns
For Nicholas Coleman, his love of cooking started in his mother's kitchen. "I remember helping her when I was about 7 years old. I started smoking BBQ as a hobby, and people told me I could probably make money if I sold what I smoked."
He is inspired by any sort of comfort food and his»culinary philosophy? "Ingredient driven not only means that I seek the best ingredients but that I organize my dishes so that a single ingredient stars, while the others play supporting roles." Coleman»and his business partner are very excited to be going up against some of the best food trucks in Fairbanks and having people who haven’t eaten from them before try their food.
Tariq Khan
Spice It Up
Greeted by adoring fans who line up to wait for his food truck to appear, Tariq Khan has a passion for fresh foods prepared right in front of his customers. "I»really feel blessed and it's all because of this loving and supporting community who liked my food and recommended me to others."
Khan came to the U.S. in 2008, but he missed the food he grew up with. When he asked his mother and sister for help, they connected online via Skype! "I started mixing and marinating and adding my own spices and Americanized those dishes, creating my own recipes keeping that flavor." He would bring the foods to work and his co-workers would gather round. Soon, a business was born! "This inspired me and I started making food for my friends and have them taste it. which they asked for it again and again."
Flaviano Clemente Torres
El Sabor
With over 15 years of kitchen experience, Flaviano Clemente Torres creates great food using pure ingredients. Raised in remote Guerrero, Mexico, Flavio learned that getting the most flavor out of simple ingredients requires careful preparation and subtle pairings. Over time Flavio has added expert technique, new ingredients, and broad culinary experience to his hard-won wisdom. His food balances a deep respect for authenticity with an openness to pushing the frontiers of flavor.
Flavio’s culinary story began at his mother’s knee and has continued to grow with mentors to include Rafael Samudio and three of his brothers who are chefs in Cabo San Lucas. Flaviano finished his second season at the Tanana Valley Farmers Market as Chef/ Owner of El Sabor and is anxiously awaiting the completion of his food truck.
DESSERT CHEFS
Jo Pearson
Jo's Oven
Home of the Sourdough Cupcake! Jo Pearson offers a wide range of flavors and frostings through her business. All of her recipes are original and sourdough based. "I have always been interested in baking. When I was a child I used to watch while my mom baked us cookies and breads. It seemed magical how she could put a lump of sticky dough in the oven, and pull out a golden soft loaf of bread! »
Her culinary philosophy is simple. To bring a smile to as many people as possible. "One of my favorite things in the world is watching people try my cupcakes for the first time. Especially skeptics who don't believe sourdough can be turned into amazing cupcakes. The way their faces and eyes light up makes my heart swell everytime." Another part of her philosophy is to bend the rules as much as possible. "I like a good challenge."
Michaella Perez
Stir It Up
For as long as she can remember, food has been the center of traditions in Michaella Perez'»family. "All of the women in my life are very talented cooks. I have been in the kitchen since I was youngster. One of the very first memories I have of being in the kitchen is with my grandmother making her infamous homemade pies for a Thanksgiving celebration. The joy that good food brings to people makes my heart happy."
At her business, Stir It Up!, the slogan is options. "Whether you chose this dietary life style or it chose you, we got you covered! It is essential to offer food that caters to all. Good food touches your soul and we strive to provide that."
Randee Witt
A & K Cupcakes
A&K Cupcakes began in 2010 with the hope that it would fill a passion for baking and a desire to generate income without impacting family time. Who doesn’t love a treat as special as a cupcake? The tiny sweets are a bit of an art and the joy it brings when a customer raves about the taste was what grew the desire. Originated by Hailey Witt and Rebekah McGlinchy, A&K has become a successful and family-oriented company with an amazing fan base.»
Due to the continued growth and success and Hailey and Rebekah’s other obligations, they have decided to hand the baton off to Randee Witt. Sister-in-law to Hailey, Randee moved to Fairbanks in 2015 to join her husband, longtime Fairbanksan Jason Witt. The small, close knit community was ideal for raising a family and gave her the opportunity to get involved with a business that she is passionate about. We are honored to participate in this event and look forward to watching A&K’s continued success.
The 2016 Chefs' Challenge at the Museum is presented by Kendall Toyota of Fairbanks and HooDoo Brewing Co.
The event features the culinary talents of Fairbanks food truck chefs who will create a signature dish featuring the key ingredient, HooDoo beer. The audience will meet the chefs and their food and watch as they face a grilling from our guest judges. The audience will score each dish for the Peoples' Choice award.
The winner will be announced in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.