Un-Plated Presents: Kokoson

History was made as the winning restaurant concept from Bravo TV’s Top Chef restaurant wars challenge was brought to life for the general public.

For the first time ever, Top Chef super fans were able to experience the culinary magic of ‘Restaurant Wars’ as seen on Bravo’s “Top Chef” here in San Diego when four cheftestants from Season 18 of “Top Chef” reimagine their ‘Restaurant Wars’ menu for a one-night-only special charity dinner at Animae. This dinner was brought to life on Sunday August 1, in collaboration with Un-Plated by Sabrina Medora and Cooking With Friends by Chef Shota Nakajima.

James Beard semi-finalist Chef Shota Nakajima (Taku, Seattle), Chef Jamie Tran (Black Sheep, Las Vegas), James Beard semi-finalist Chef Maria Mazon (BOCA Tacos,Tucson), and Chef Byron Gomez (7908 Aspen, Aspen) of “Top Chef” will be presenting an Asian and Latin-American inspired multi-course meal inspired by Kokoson, the chefs’ winning concept for ‘Restaurant Wars’ as seen on Season 18 of “Top Chef.” In the classic style that Un-Plated by Sabrina Medora is nationally renowned for, the event featured the chefs’ stories as dishes get served, giving all the guests the feeling of a personal touch and insider experience.

The dinner began at 5pm with an amuse bouche from Chef Tara Monsod of Animae and was followed by seven additional courses from the Top Chef Kokoson team, with dinner tickets priced at $350 per person including wine. Forty VIP tickets, priced at $500, included the dinner and access to the exclusive chef-attended after-party, bites from Chef Tara Monsod of Animae, cocktails, and a conversation moderated by national food writer Sabrina Medora on what it’s like to compete on “Top Chef,” run a restaurant in the middle of the pandemic, and more.

A portion of proceeds was donated to World Central Kitchen, founded by Chef José Andrés, whose mission is to provide meals to people in need in times of crisis and beyond.

Photo credit: JTran Photos