PITTSBURGH, July 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The second annual Western Pennsylvania Lamb Cook-Off (Lamb Fest) returns to Ace Hotel Pittsburgh on Sunday, July 22, 2018 from 2pm-6pm. The outdoor festival will feature 34 of Pittsburgh's best chefs preparing locally raised lamb from Pure Bred. Tickets are available for $65 in advance and include entry to the event and tastings from 10 Chef Teams. Guests will be able to vote for their favorite Chef Team in this culinary battle royale of Western Pennsylvania's most famous protein and a panel of celebrity judges and local food experts will also dole out a new Critics' Pick title. A portion of event proceeds will benefit the Pittsburgh Emergency Medicine Foundation (PEMF).

The second-year event welcomes back last year's winners self-named "Most Hated Players" team, Derek Burnell of Umami and Round Corner Cantina (Pittsburgh), Roger Li of Umami (Pittsburgh), and Dan Kern of 1201 Kitchen, Bird, and Noosa (Erie, PA). Other returning favorites include Kate Romane of Black Radish (Pittsburgh), Sam DiBattista of Vivo Kitchen (Pittsburgh), Dom Branduzzi of Grapperia, Piccolo Forno (Pittsburgh), Jessica Lewis of Or, the Whale, Merchant Oyster Co. (Pittsburgh), and Curtis Gamble of Station (Pittsburgh). Local newcomers include Jamilka Borges of Lorelei (Pittsburgh), Julio Peraza of fl.2 (Pittsburgh), Joe Tambellini of Joseph Tambellini Restaurant, and Michael Smalis of The Greek Gourmet (Pittsburgh).

The visiting chef roster has doubled from the first year with talent ranging from Philadelphia to Las Vegas. "Western Pennsylvania is known nationally for the quality of our lamb," says organizer Victoria Bradley. "Between the world renowned hospitality and fun factor at Ace Hotel and the vibe of being able to connect with the national chef community and bond over truly great ingredients, the Western Pennsylvania Lamb Cook Off is a special day that's gaining a reputation as a signature 'must attend' food event in our region. Visiting chefs often attend at the invitation of our local chefs here in Pittsburgh. It's exciting to be able to show them the best our city has to offer through the lens of good food and good people."

Visiting chefs include John Patterson of FORK Restaurant (Philadelphia, PA), Chef Jason Purcell of Garrsion at Fairmont Austin (Austin, TX), Brian Howard of Sparrow + Wolf (Las Vegas, NV), Dan Kern of 1201 Kitchen, Bird, and Noosa (Erie, PA), Kristin Butterworth of Lautrec (Farmington, PA), and Pat Sheerin of City Mouse (Chicago, IL).

This year's event is presented by Pure Bred. Pure Bred was founded by Chef Thomas Keller of The French Laundry and Keith Martin of Western Pennsylvania's own Elysian Fields. Pure Bred has an established reputation for sponsoring the world's most prestigious culinary events, as well as promoting educational opportunities for the next generation of young chefs through the Culinary Institute of America.

The 34 featured chefs will be assembled into "Chef Teams" who will battle it out to win the coveted People's Choice Award and the new Critic's Pick. Each Chef Team will prepare a collaborative plate featuring the star ingredient. Vegetarians are welcome and will have plenty options, thanks to the fresh produce supplied by Paragon Foods and bread provided by Mediterra with wheat grown by local gem, Rivendale Farms. Refreshment stations will be provided throughout the event by Sustainable Pittsburgh and guests can look to favorite local sweetheart food brands like The Milk Shake Factory and Blume Honey Water for tastings and special surprises throughout the day.

The Second Annual Western Pennsylvania Lamb Cook-Off, also known as Lamb Fest, was created by Victoria Bradley and Christina French of TABLE Magazine. Christina French and her family are avid skiers who regularly attend the Taste of Vail's Colorado Lamb Cook-off. The streets of Vail village are lined with tents, and local chefs pump out samples of their best lamb creations. "It's a beautiful day to explore local food and taste many creations of multiple chefs - so why not do something of this quality and scale in Pennsylvania. Colorado is famous for their lamb, but Western PA is the best of the best in our opinion! We partnered with the Ace Hotel Pittsburgh as event hosts, and Pure Bred for incredible local lamb for our chefs." says Ms. French.

The Ace Hotel Pittsburgh and its nationally-acclaimed restaurant Whitfield will once again serve as the event's hosts. Whitfield Executive Chef Beth Zozula has opened the doors of her kitchen to all participating chefs, serving as both host and resource for the competitors. Organizers have also expanded the footprint of the event to accommodate the event design and the expanded number of guests (1,000 expected in attendance). The main thoroughfare of the event will take place on Whitfield Street in front of the hotel. The boutique hotel, a historic building which used to serve as a YMCA, will also be opening its Gym event space for guests seeking some A/C and additional bar offerings.

Ace Hotel Pittsburgh will also be extending a special for the weekend. Guests who book a room on Saturday July 21, 2018 or Sunday July 22, 2018 will receive a special room rate and tickets to the event. The special will be released at the end of March and details can be found on Ace Hotel Pittsburgh's Offers page.

Tickets are $65 in advance for adults (13+) and $25 in advance for children (12 and under). Children 4 and under will be admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased at www.showclix.com/event/western-pa-lamb-cook-off195664 or visit showclix.com SEARCH "Western PA Lamb Cook-Off"

Organizers recommend checking the events Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts regularly for updates.

Event Website: www.tablemagazine.com/table_live_posts/western-pa-lamb-fest 
Facebook: /WesternPaLambCookOff
Twitter: @WPALambFest
Instagram: @WesternPALambFest
Event Hashtag: #LambFestPGH

About Pure Bred

In 2006, Pure Bred was founded by Chef Thomas Keller of The French Laundry and Keith Martin of Elysian Fields. Shortly thereafter, patent approval was received for the Safe Alternative® production model in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The Safe Alternative® protocols require strict monitoring of dietary inputs for each animal, as well as maintaining a high standard for animal stewardship. Because of these procedures, an end product unlike any other results, which has been enjoyed and used by some of the world's most-decorated chefs and restaurateurs, such as Pittsburgh's own Keith Coughenour, as well as Daniel Boulud, Patrick O'Connell, Grant Achatz, Danny Meyer, and, of course, Thomas himself. Pure Bred has also been involved in sponsoring the world's most prestigious culinary events, such as the Bocuse d'Or, as well as promoting educational opportunities for the next generation of young chefs through the Culinary Institute of America. Pure Bred is proud to say that their product, which comes from several family farms in Southwestern PA and Southeastern OH, is enjoyed the world over and can be a representative of the 2018 Western Pennsylvania Lamb Cook-Off.

Western PA Lamb Cook-Off Teams               
Team 1
Sam DiBattista- Vivo Kitchen (Pittsburgh)
Dom Branduzzi- Grapperia, Piccolo Forno (Pittsburgh)
Stephen Felder- Stagioni (Pittsburgh) new this year!
Joe Tambellini- Joseph Tambellini Restaurant (Pittsburgh) new this year!

Team 2 2017 Winner (Most Hated Players)
Derek Burnell- Cantina, Umami (Pittsburgh)
Roger Li- Umami, Ki Ramen (Pittsburgh)
Dan Kern- 1201 Kitchen, Bird, Noosa (Erie, PA)

Team 3
Julio Peraza- fl.2 (Pittsburgh) new this year!
Chef Jason Purcell- Garrsion at Fairmont Austin (Austin, TX) new this year!
Chef Brian Howard- Sparrow + Wolf (Las Vegas, NV) new this year!

Team 4
Jennifer Gerasole- Girasole (Pittsburgh)
Kate Romane- Black Radish (Pittsburgh)
Jessica Lewis- Or, the Whale, Merchant Oyster Co. (Pittsburgh)
Kristin Butterworth- Lautrec (Farmington, PA) new this year!
Jamilka Borges- Lorelei, Independent Brewing, Hidden Harbor (Pittsburgh) new this year!

Team 5
Brandon Blumenfeld- Scratch F&B (Pittsburgh)
Curtis Gamble- Station (Pittsburgh)
Brian Barcus- The Commoner (Pittsburgh) new this year!
Andrew Garbarino- Twisted Frenchman (Pittsburgh) new this year!

Team 6
Brandon Fisher- Union Standard (Pittsburgh) new this year!
Ben Sloan- Kaya (Pittsburgh) new this year!
James Ciminillo- Coop Deville (Pittsburgh) new this year!
Will Randall- Rivers Club (Pittsburgh) new this year!

Team 7
Brooks Hart- Or, The Whale (Pittsburgh) new this year!
Scott Walton- Acorn (Pittsburgh)
John Patterson- FORK Restaurant (Philadelphia, PA) new this year!

Team 8
Daniel Walker- Lidia's Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh) new this year!
Franco Braccia- Senti (Pittsburgh) new this year!

Team 9- Host Team*
Bethany Zozula- Whitfield (Pittsburgh)
Lily Tran- Soba (Pittsburgh)
Pat Sheerin- City Mouse (Chicago, IL) new this year!

Team 10
Michael Smalis- The Greek Gourmet (Pittsburgh) new this year!
Matt Bournias- Pastitsio (Pittsburgh) new this year!
Valentina Vavasis- Greek food critic (Pittsburgh) new this year!

*Chef Bethany Zozula and the Whitfield restaurant are the hosts of the Western PA Lamb Cook-Off, and therefore will not be competing. The Host Team will still be serving up their finest lamb dishes for guests to enjoy as well as hosting and collaborating with visiting chefs.

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SOURCE Western PA Lamb Cook-Off Festival