Announcing Winners of the Copa Jerez USA Finals

CONTEST
Written By Samantha Spiesman

Three chef-sommeliers from across the country competed for the title of USA Champion of the Copa Jerez National Finals. The winning team from Smyth will go on to compete in the International Finals in Jerez, Spain in 2023.

 

In a closely fought battle held in New York City on December 12 at The Institute of Culinary Education, the chef and sommelier team from Smyth took the 2022 title as the US winners of the national Copa Jerez competition. Widely acknowledged as the ultimate Sherry and food competition, Copa Jerez is held bi-annually and organized by the Sherry Council in Jerez de la Frontera.

USA Champions Executive Chef Luke Feltz and Wine Director Kevin Goldsmith of Smyth (Chicago) competed against two other teams: Chef Andrew Manning and Sommelier Grayum Vickers of Longoven (Richmond, VA) and Chef Taylor Stark and Sommelier Caroline Clark of The Wolf’s Tailor (Denver). The 2022 US winners will now represent the US and compete for the international title at the Grand Final in Jerez in October 2023.

 

From left to right, Senior Trade Commissioner Bruno Fernandez, 2022 Copa Jerez US Finals Winners Chef Luke Feltz & Sommelier Kevin Goldsmith (on the phone held by Christina Chang), of Smyth, And Director of Wines from Spain, Katrin Naelapaa

 

The three teams presented their pairings before a panel of five judges: 2021 USA Copa Jerez Winner Chef Nicolas Lopez of Mercado Little Spain, Wine Educator Scott Carney of Institute of Culinary Education, Chef Alex Raij of Txikito, La Vara, and Saint Julivert Fisherie, Wine Educator and Author Lucas Paya, and StarChefs’ Director of Media Erin Lettera. The winning menu and Sherry pairings:

First Course

Warmed Osetra Caviar, Preserved Green Almond, Walnut Oil paired with Emilio Hidalgo, La Panesa Especial Fino

Second Course

Lobster, Plum Pit, Amazake Chawanmushi paired with El Maestro Sierra Palo Cortado

Third Course

Roasted Potato Ice Cream, Quince, Raspberry paired with Osborne Pedro Ximenez Viejo Rare Sherry

 

2022 Copa Jerez US Finalists Chef Taylor Stark and Sommelier Caroline Clark of The Wolf’s Tailor

2022 Copa Jerez US Finalists Sommelier Grayum Vickers and Chef Andrew Manning of longoven

 
Similar Features
Announcing Lumina Lamb Recipe Contest Winners
Announcing Lumina Lamb Recipe Contest Winners

We partnered with Lumina Lamb to give one chef a once-in-a-lifetime trip to New Zealand. Check out the winning chefs and recipes here!

Announcing Pecorino Romano PDO Recipe Contest Winners
Announcing Pecorino Romano PDO Recipe Contest Winners

Pecorino Romano PDO has been produced since the times of the Roman Empire. We challenged our community to come up with original recipes featuring the cheese and they did not disappoint. Check out the winners here!

Announcing Sherry Vinegar Recipe Contest Winners
Announcing Sherry Vinegar Recipe Contest Winners

The secret behind Sherry Vinegar’s unique and extraordinary quality is, without a doubt, its origin. We challenged our community to showcase the vinegar in creative recipes. Check out the winning dishes here!

Announcing American Lamb Board Recipe Contest Winners
Announcing American Lamb Board Recipe Contest Winners

Put your hands together for Chef Cesar Murillo of North Pond for taking home the grand prize trip to Napa for our American ground lamb recipe contest this summer!

2023 Mango Discovery Week
2023 Mango Discovery Week

StarChefs and The National Mango Board have partnered with some of the country's top chefs to bring next-level mango dishes to your city! Mangos are the aromatic fruits of an evergreen tree and are related to both cashews and pistachios. Each mango variety has a unique flavor and texture, so make sure to try different types of mangos at different stages of ripeness.

Announcing Breville Juicer Recipe Contest WinnerS
Announcing Breville Juicer Recipe Contest WinnerS

We challenged our community of chefs to showcase how they would use the Breville Juice Fountain® XL Pro in creative recipes. Check out the winners here!

Samantha Spiesman
Previous

Textural Transition
Next

Cultivating a Restaurant