Downtown Tempe, Arizona
By Kristy Jozwiak

With stockpots simmering and knives at the ready, four of the finest chefs from hotels and conference centers in the United States and Canada will come together at Tempe Mission Palms Hotel (60 East Fifth Street, Tempe) at 5 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2016, to compete for the prestigious ‘Chef of the Year’ crown during the Americas’ Chapter competition of the 13th Annual Copper Skillet Cook Off.

Presented by the International Association of Conference Centers, the competition is designed to showcase culinary excellence in food and beverage from around the world.

The prestigious cook-off event will feature top chefs in two categories – Junior Chef and Senior Chef – as they create an entrée using contents from a mystery basket, which will contain two proteins, along with items from a pantry list. The chefs will be given 30 minutes to prepare, create and present their masterpieces to three local judges.

The celebrity judges will evaluate the entrées according to set criteria. Winners of the Americas’ Chapter Copper Skillet Cook-Off will advance to the final International Copper Skillet Competition in New York City on April 19, 2016, where they will compete against the top chefs from Europe, Australia and Asia-Pacific Chapters. This finale competition will result in the naming of a Copper Skillet Global Champion.

Tempe Mission Palms is where Midwestern charm meets the warmth of the Southwest. It is the only full-service hotel in Tempe, Arizona, offering the Mission Grille restaurant, Harry’s Place lounge, and 24-hour room service. The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Tempe, and is within walking distance of more than 100 restaurants, bars and shops in the Mill Avenue District. The serenity of the surrounding desert landscape is reflected in the hotel’s décor and relaxing ambiance, with rooms and suites that enable you to work and rest in a way that suits you best. For more information, visit missionpalms.com or call 480-894-1400.