2011 marks 5 years that the Food & Wine Classic, produced by Ashland Chamber’s Visitor & Convention Bureau, has been honoring the best of Ashland chefs.

This year, the final round came down to Franco Console of Omar’s (Top Chef 2009) and David Georgeson of Larks.  The final 2 chefs each had to create an appetizer and entrée incorporating the secret key ingredients of Penn Cove mussels, clams and rock fish.  With 60 minutes to prepare in this final round Sunday afternoon, the pressure was on the final 2 chefs demonstrating their high skill level and expertise to the audience of this 3 day culinary event.  Judges consisted of Cory Schreiber, founder of Wildwood Restaurant and recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Chef Pacific Northwest; Mark Bernetich, Corporate Chef from Sysco, graduate of the Horst Mager Culinary Institute and Rolar Yondorf co-founder and owner of Porters Dining at the Depot in OldTown Medford.

While both chefs put forth great effort in their dishes, David Georgeson of Larks took the title of Top Chef 2011.  He was awarded with an engraved frying pan and a getaway to the Southern Oregon coast.

Congratulations to Best Dessert in Ashland 2011, Chad Smith of Chateaulin.  The dessert judging had 5 delicious entries and was judged on Saturday.

Over 500 attendees, both visitors and locals enjoyed the culinary magic this past weekend in Ashland with 8 competing chefs, desserts, over 21 vendors and workshops.

The 6th annual Food & Wine Classic will be held November 2 – 4th,