With the College Football Playoff in Santa Clara and all of the events surrounding it, one of the more tasty events was the Eckrich Taste of the Championship, a premium dining experience that put the spotlight on education.
Held at the Tech Museum in San Jose, the Taste of the Championship event was a chance for attendees — both local residents and game attendees from across the country to sample gourmet food and drink from over 20 Bay Area and US-based chefs in support of the Extra Yard for Teachers program. The event was billed as a unique combination of an exploration of local (and not-so-local) cuisine and a celebration of the teaching profession.
Attendees were treated to 15 different foods to sample and savor. Food items ranged from the relatively mundane to wonderfully exotic.
The food available for tasting included Nathan’s Mini Hot Dog Bar featuring ‘Bama Slama Dogs and Clemson BBQ Dogs; Los Angeles’ Cal Mare and Chef Adam Sobel’s Saffron Arancini served with a White Tomato Mousse; Chef Ryan Clark from Tucson Arizona featured a chilled Soben Noodle Salad; San Francisco’s International Smoke featuring Chef Jeremy McMillan’s Smoked Korean Beef Bossam; Santa Clara’s Bourbon Steak with Chef Michael Mina and Chef Mario Beaubraut featuring Mina’s Signature Tuna Tartare; San Francisco’s Trailblazer Tavern featuring Chef Wade Ueoka’s Garlic Kauai Shrimp; Eckrich’s Gochujang Turkey Bao; Scott’s Seafood featuring Chef Samuel Reyes’ Crab Cakes and Shrimp Cocktail; Las Vegas’ Chef Lusk featuring his Creole Chicken Tortilla Soup; Atlanta’s Chef Jenn Robbins featuring her Braised Beef Brisket; Louisville’s Master Chef Gerron Hurt’s Cajun Shrimp and Grits, Eckrich’s Smoked Sausage and Charred Brussel Sprouts Fried Rice; Bay Area’s Ike’s Place featuring Sometimes Vegetarian, Menage A Trois and Hella Sexy; and Campbell and San Jose’s Sushi Confidential featuring Chef Randy Musterer’s Tuna Poke Tacos.