Winners of the 2025 Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge Announced
Peru and Philippines take home top honors from the annual international culinary competition
Washington, DC – Attendees of the sold-out 2025 Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge gathered to travel the world with their taste buds, sampling bites and beverages from 34 embassies, representing Washington, DC’s diverse diplomatic community. Embassy chefs showcased the unique flavors, food products and beverages of their home countries in a culinary showdown at the historic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium.
The evening featured impressive cultural performances and was hosted by Washington, DC-based restaurateur and former Top Chef contestant, Spike Mendelsohn. The top awards featured included the coveted People’s Choice Award, chosen by guests’ votes, as well as the Judges’ Choice Award, selected by a panel of influential members of the cultural and culinary communities.
Chef Paolo Penalosa and Chef Maria Carmel Tagligan representing the Embassy of Philippines at the 2025 Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge. (Photo Credit: Events DC)
Guests had the opportunity to vote for their favorite embassies as they tasted their way around the globe. The People’s Choice awards, the most coveted among the chef community, were presented to:
First Place: Chef Paolo Penalosa and Chef Maria Carmel Tagligan representing the Embassy of Philippines with a presentation of bangus a la pobre served with garlic rice and eggplant salad.
Second Place: Chef Bandar Alhenaki representing the Embassy of Saudi Arabia with a presentation of lamb kabsa (Known as Saudi Arabia’s national dish) and basbousa, a sweet, syrup-soaked semolina cake
Third Place: Chef Dr. Michaele C. Samuel representing the Embassy of Grenada with a presentation of calypso mango shrimp salad
2025 Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge. (Photo Credit: Events DC)
The judging panel this year consisted of Top Chef Alum and Food Network star Chef Eric Adjepong, food writers Lenore T. Adkins and Tim Ebner, past Embassy Chef Challenge award-winning Chef Francis Otoo representing the Embassy of Ghana, and the Northeast Editor of Eater, Tierney Plumb. The Judges’ Choice awards were presented to:
First Place: Chef Michael Ciuffardi representing the Embassy of Peru with a presentation of Seco Norteño Ravioli - handmade ravioli filled with cilantro-braised beef served over a delicate loche squash emulsion.
Second Place: Chefs Xianglin Zhu, Wen Su, and Wenhui Jia representing the Embassy of China with a presentation of pineapple sweet and sour shrimp and osmanthus-scented lotus root threads cake.
Third Place: Chef Ilham Achmakou representing the Embassy of Morocco with a presentation of pastela with chicken and almond.
The judges also sipped a range of iconic beverages from every continent. Among the cocktails, refreshing mocktails, native wines, beers, coffees and teas, they selected a Best Beverage, awarded to: Chef Mykola Yudin representing the Embassy of Ukraine with a presentation of Black Currant Nalyvka.
Media ready photos of the event are available HERE and will continue to be updated. All photos can be credited to Events DC.
The 2025 Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge was made possible with help from partners: Giant, Premium of DC, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Liquid Light and Casamigos.
About Events DC
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for Washington, DC, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the LEED Platinum-certified Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, The Fields at RFK, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and CareFirst Arena all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com and find us on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Events DC), and Twitter (@TheEventsDC).
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