And the winner is . . .
CHEF JASON GODDARDWith just four points out of 300 available separating the “chef-testants,” Chef Jason Goddard, Corporate Executive Chef of the Aielli Restaurant Group in Naples, won the 2021 CHEF Showdown Golden Whisk on March 22, 2021. The culinary duel of the Counties was extraordinary. Chef Jason and his challenger, Chef Gloria Jordan, owner of La Trattoria Cafe Napoli in Fort Myers, had just 30-minutes on the clock to make a WOW appetizer dish using the main Mystery Basket ingredient provided by Sails Restaurant. Donations to CHEF are still being accepted until 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 26.

Welcome to CHEF!
Since the scholarship fundraising organization’s inception in 2001, CHEF has been so successful that it has awarded over $350,000 to more than 220 Collier and Lee County students.
CHEF initially began in 2001 as a loosely organized group with a mission similar to CHEF’s mission today, becoming, in 2004, The Culinary and Hospitality Education Foundation of Southwest Florida, a 501(c)(3) organization. Its early fundraisers were so successful, beginning with Culinary Odyssey 2001, that the organization began awarding scholarships immediately. read more
OUR MISSION
Our Mission is to serve the culinary and hospitality arts professions by providing scholarships, awards, financial incentives and skills development opportunities to deserving individuals in Southwest Florida who are committed to furthering their education and enhancing their careers.
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CHEF NEWS
Chef Jason Goddard Wins the Golden Whisk
With just four points out of 300 available separating the "chef-testants," Chef Jason Goddard, Corporate Executive Chef of the Aielli Restaurant Group in Naples, won the 2021 CHEF Showdown Golden Whisk on March 22, 2021. The culinary duel of the Counties was...
Culinary CHEF Showdown Announces Local Partners & Auction Lots For March 22 Virtual Fundraising Event
CHEF, the Culinary & Hospitality Education Foundation of Southwest Florida, has ignited the flames for an exciting Virtual CHEF Showdown competition and Auction online March 22 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at www.event.gives/chef. Supporters will need to register an...
Culinary CHEF Showdown Heats Up In the Kitchen during Cross-County Duel
February 18, 2021 (Naples, Fla.) - CHEF, the Culinary & Hospitality Education Foundation of Southwest Florida, filmed the 2021 Culinary CHEF Showdown in front of a sold-out VIP studio audience limited to 20 guests on February 1, 2021, at the Workshop demonstration...